Image display device, image display method, and image display program

ABSTRACT

An image display device includes: a storing section configured to store associating information that associates information indicating one or more providing sources of image data with each of one or more display areas set within a display screen; an obtaining section configured to obtain image data from a providing source corresponding to each of one or more display areas on the basis of the associating information stored in the storing section; a forming section configured to form display image data of a display image to be displayed on the display screen on the basis of the image data being obtained by said obtaining section for each of one or more display areas; and a display processing section configured to display the display image corresponding to the display image data formed by the forming section on the display screen.

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNos. JP 2008-120208 and JP 2008-120209, each filed in the JapanesePatent Office on May 2, 2008, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to, for example, a device for displayingimage data such as still image data, moving image data, graphics data, amethod used in the device, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art

Digital still cameras have spread, so that end users can readily usestill image data on subjects which still image data is obtained byphotographing. In addition, various still image data is made open to thepublic via server devices on the Internet. The still image data isdownloaded and used by end users.

A large number of pieces of still image data are managed by using apersonal computer, and the still image data is used by, for example,making a slide show display, which displays images based on a largenumber of pieces of still image data in order, one for each fixed time.

In addition, for easy use of still image data obtained by taking imagesof subjects through digital still cameras, photograph displaying devicesreferred to as digital photograph displaying devices, electronic photostands and the like have been proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2002-24846 (hereinafterreferred to as Patent Document 1) to be described later discloses aninvention relating to a digital photograph device that, when displayingdigital photographs, automatically changes the arrangement of thephotographs being displayed as a photograph layout pattern with thepassage of time.

By using the invention described in Patent Document 1, the arrangementof the photographs being displayed can be changed automatically, so thatenjoyable varying photograph display can be made without troubling theuser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described in the above Patent Document 1 sets all of stillimage data recorded and retained in a predetermined memory as displayobjects. Also in a so-called slide show display realized by a personalcomputer or the like, images based on still image data registered in aselected folder are reproduced sequentially.

However, as described above, there is various still image data usable byan end user, such as still image data obtained when the end userhimself/herself performed photographing using a digital camera as wellas still image data made open to the public via server devices on theInternet.

It is thus desirable to use efficiently still image data stored atvarious storage locations without troubling the user. When still imagedata stored at various storage locations is thus made usable by theuser, it is desirable to improve the convenience of the user fromvarious aspects.

In view of the above, it is desirable to use efficiently image data suchas still image data stored at various storage locations, and improve theconvenience of the user in using the image data.

In addition, the invention described in the above Patent Document 1 setsall of still image data recorded and retained in a predetermined memoryas display objects. However, a semiconductor memory storing andretaining still image data has been increased in capacity and lowered inprice year after year. Some memories can store and retain a large numberof pieces of still image data in a unit of a few hundred pieces or in aunit of a few thousand pieces.

Thus, when still image data is reproduced from a memory that stores andretains a large number of pieces of still image data, selection of stillimage data to be reproduced becomes a problem. In this case, it isdesirable to be able to extract and reproduce still images suitable to aseason or a time period without troubling the user. It is also desirableto be able to make effective use of not only still image data with newphotographing years, months, and days but also still image data with oldphotographing years, months, and days.

In addition, moving image data is obtained by taking a moving image of asubject using a digital video camera, and the moving image data isrecorded onto a recording medium. In addition, various moving image datacan be obtained via various recording media and the Internet. Further,various music data can be obtained via various recording media and theInternet.

Thus, also when a large number of pieces of various content dataincluding not only still image data but also moving image data, musicdata and the like are to be obtained and used, it is desirable to beable to use the content data in the same manner as in the case of usingstill images. That is, when there is a large amount of moving image dataand music data, it is desirable to be able to extract and reproduce datasuitable to a season or a time period without troubling the user. It isalso desirable to be able to make effective use of not only content datawith new obtainment years, months, and days but also content data withold obtainment years, months, and days.

In view of the above, it is also desirable to appropriately extractcontent data suitable for reproduction from a large amount of contentdata and use the content data without troubling the user.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an image display device including: storing means for storingassociating information that associates information indicating one ormore providing sources of image data with each of one or more displayareas set within a display screen; obtaining means for obtaining imagedata from a providing source corresponding to each of the one or moredisplay areas on the basis of the associating information stored in thestoring means; forming means for forming display image data of a displayimage to be displayed on the display screen on the basis of the imagedata being obtained by the obtaining means for each of the one or moredisplay areas; and display processing means for displaying the displayimage corresponding to the display image data formed by the formingmeans on the display screen.

According to the image display device in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention, associating information thatassociates information indicating one or more providing sources of imagedata with each of one or more display areas set within a display screenis recorded in the storing means. Using the associating information ofthe storing means, the obtaining means obtains image data from aproviding source corresponding to each of the one or more set displayareas.

Using the obtained image data, the forming means forms display imagedata of a display image to be displayed on the display screen. On thebasis of the display image data, the display processing means displaysthe display image on the display screen.

Thereby, image data obtained from a providing source corresponding toeach of the one or more display areas set within one display screen canbe displayed in each of the one or more display areas. Therefore imagedata such as still image data stored at various storage locations can beused efficiently. In addition, in using the image data, the convenienceof the user can be improved.

In addition, an image display device according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention is the image display device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, further including: receiving meansfor receiving an instruction input from a user; measuring means formeasuring a time from display of the display image on the display screenby the display processing means; and display controlling means forcontrolling the obtaining means, the forming means, and the displayprocessing means to display a new display image when a predeterminedinstruction input is received via the receiving means or when a resultof measurement of the measuring means indicates that a certain time haspassed from the display of the display image.

According to the image display device in accordance with the secondembodiment of the present invention, when one of events of aninstruction input from the user and the passage of a certain time fromthe display of the display image occurs, the display controlling meanscontrols the various parts to change display images displayed in the oneor more display areas of the display screen.

Thereby each of the display images in the one or more display areas ofthe display screen can be changed in appropriate timing. Thus, moreimage data can be used, and image data such as still image data storedat various storage locations can be used efficiently. In addition, inusing the image data, the convenience of the user can be improved.

In addition, an image display device according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention is the image display device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, further including: detecting meansfor detecting whether there is new image data at a providing sourcecorresponding to each of the one or more display areas in eachpredetermined timing on the basis of the associating information storedin the storing means; and informing means for informing presence of newimage data when the detecting means detects the presence of the newimage data.

According to the image display device in accordance with the thirdembodiment of the present invention, the detecting means functions ineach predetermined timing to detect whether there is new image data tobe displayed at a providing source corresponding to each of the one ormore display areas set within the display screen. When the presence ofnew image data to be displayed is detected, the informing means informsthis to the user.

Thereby the user can be informed of the presence of a new image to bedisplayed, and quickly use the new usable image. Thus, image data suchas still image data stored at various storage locations can be usedefficiently. In addition, in using the image data, the convenience ofthe user can be improved.

In addition, an image display device according to a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention is the image display device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, further including: detecting meansfor detecting whether there is new image data at a providing sourcecorresponding to each of the one or more display areas in eachpredetermined timing on the basis of the associating information storedin the storing means; updating means for updating the storing means withinformation indicating presence of new image data for each of the one ormore display areas when the detecting means detects the presence of thenew image data; and new arrival notifying means for making a displaynotifying presence of new image data in a display area for which the newimage data is present on the basis of the information stored in thestoring means.

According to the image display device in accordance with the fourthembodiment of the present invention, the detecting means functions ineach predetermined timing to detect whether there is new image data tobe displayed at a providing source corresponding to each of the one ormore display areas set within the display screen. When the presence ofnew image data to be displayed is detected, the storing means is updatedwith this by the updating means. Thereafter, when the storing means isupdated with information indicating the presence of the new image datato be displayed, the new arrival notifying means notifies the presenceof the new image data to be displayed to the user by a display in adisplay area.

Thereby the user can be informed of the presence of a new image to bedisplayed in the display area by the display in the display area, andquickly use the new usable image. Thus, image data such as still imagedata stored at various storage locations can be used efficiently. Inaddition, in using the image data, the convenience of the user can beimproved.

In addition, an image display device according to a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention is the image display device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, further including: detecting meansfor detecting whether there is new image data at a providing sourcecorresponding to each of the one or more display areas in eachpredetermined timing on the basis of the associating information storedin the storing means; updating means for updating the storing means withinformation indicating presence of new image data for each of the one ormore display areas when the detecting means detects the presence of thenew image data; menu forming means for forming and displaying a menuhaving a performable process as a selection item; and notifying meansfor making a display notifying presence of new image data in theselection item of the menu formed by the menu forming means, theselection item being for a process of displaying an image in each of theone or more display areas set within the display screen, when thestoring means is updated with information indicating the presence of thenew image data.

According to the image display device in accordance with the fifthembodiment of the present invention, the detecting means functions ineach predetermined timing to detect whether there is new image data tobe displayed at a providing source corresponding to each of the one ormore display areas set within the display screen. When the presence ofnew image data to be displayed is detected, the storing means is updatedwith this by the updating means.

The menu forming means forms and displays a menu having a performableprocess as a selection item. In this case, when the storing means isupdated with information indicating the presence of the new image datato be displayed, the notifying means makes a display notifying thepresence of the new image data in the selection item for a process ofdisplaying an image in each of the one or more display areas set withinthe display screen.

Thereby the user can be informed of the presence of a new image to bedisplayed in the display of the selection item of the menu, and quicklyuse the new usable image. Thus, image data such as still image datastored at various storage locations can be used efficiently. Inaddition, in using the image data, the convenience of the user can beimproved.

According to the image display device in accordance with a sixthembodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image displaydevice including: storing means for storing associating information thatassociates information indicating providing sources of image data witheach of a plurality of display areas set within a display screen;obtaining means for obtaining image data from the providing sources ofthe image data; and display controlling means for displaying the imagedata obtained by the obtaining means in each of the display areascorresponding to the providing sources on the basis of the associatinginformation.

According to the image display device in accordance with a seventhembodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image displaymethod including: a recording step of recording, by recording means, instoring means, associating information that associates informationindicating one or more providing sources of image data with each of oneor more display areas set within a display screen; an obtaining step ofobtaining, by obtaining means, image data from a providing sourcecorresponding to each of the one or more display areas on the basis ofthe associating information stored in the storing means; a forming stepof forming, by forming means, display image data of a display image tobe displayed on the display screen on the basis of the image data beingobtained in the obtaining step for each of the one or more displayareas; and a display processing step of displaying, by displayprocessing means, the display image corresponding to the display imagedata formed in the forming step on the display screen.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible touse efficiently image data such as still image data stored at variousstorage locations, and improve the convenience of the user in using theimage data.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, itis possible to appropriately extract content data suitable forreproduction from a large amount of content data and use the contentdata without troubling the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an external constitutionof an image display device to which one embodiment of the presentinvention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an external constitutionof the image display device to which one embodiment of the presentinvention is applied;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of assistance in explaining an example of aconnected configuration of the image display device to which oneembodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are diagrams of assistance in explaining outputmodes (display modes) when a still image is displayed, which modes areselectable in the image display device to which one embodiment of thepresent invention is applied;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a “share frame”;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display image of a so-called“home” displayed on the display screen of the image display device;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a concrete example ofimage display by the “share frame”;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a concrete example ofimage display by the “share frame”;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a concrete example ofimage display by the “share frame”;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a concrete example ofimage display by the “share frame”;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of shareframe information used in the image display device;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an example of aprocess of registering the share frame information;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of recordinginformation of a photograph album provided on a server device on theInternet or the like;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of aphotograph list as management information of the photograph albumprovided on the server device on the Internet;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a process of checkingfor newly arrived data which process is performed in the image displaydevice;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a process ofdisplaying photographs by the share frame;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 16;

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D are diagrams of assistance in explaining a“tag frame”;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of tag frameinformation;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an example of aprocess of registering the tag frame information;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a first displayprocess of displaying photographs by the tag frame;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a second displayprocess of displaying photographs by the tag frame;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 23;

FIGS. 25A, 25B, 25C, and 25D are diagrams of assistance in explaining atag frame when photographs are displayed on the basis of photograph dataextracted with a keyword changed for each screen;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a process ofextracting and displaying photograph data while changing a keyword usedfor each screen;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a concrete example ofstill image data extracted as still image data to be reproduced in a“memory frame” function;

FIG. 29 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a concrete example ofstill image data extracted as still image data to be reproduced in the“memory frame” function;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a process ofregistering a “memory frame”;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a first displayprocess of displaying an image by the “memory frame”;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a second displayprocess of displaying an image by the “memory frame”;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a first displayprocess of displaying an image by a “photo clock frame”;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a second displayprocess of displaying an image by the “photo clock frame”; and

FIG. 38 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A device, a method, and a program to which an embodiment of the presentinvention is applied will hereinafter be described with reference to thedrawings. The embodiment will be described below by taking as an examplea case where the present invention is applied to an image display devicethat has a display element with a relatively small display screen andwhich can display still images and moving images and also reproduceaudio.

[External Appearance of Image Display Device]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams of assistance in explaining an externalconstitution of the image display device according to the presentembodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram of the image display device as viewedfrom an oblique direction on a front side. FIG. 2 is a diagram of theimage display device as viewed from an oblique direction on a rear side.

As described above, the image display device 10 in the present examplecan reproduce and display an image such as a still image, and reproduceand output audio such as music.

Specifically, when viewed from the front side, as shown in FIG. 1, afront panel 12 formed by an optically transparent material such as PMMA(polymethyl methacrylate) is attached to the rear of a bezel 11 coveringthe front surface of the casing of the display device so as to cover thewindow 11 a of the bezel 11.

An LCD (liquid crystal display) panel 13 including an LCD and abacklight is attached to the rear of the front panel 12. The LCD of theLCD panel 13 is relatively small, the display screen of the LCD having asize of about seven inches, for example.

Further, a stand 51 formed by an optically transparent material such asPMMA is attached to the lower part of a side edge of the casing of thedisplay device. Incidentally, though not shown, a plurality ofsubstrates are attached to the rear of the LCD panel 13 within thecasing of the display device.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rear cover 22 is attached to the rear surface 21of the display device casing of the image display device 10. A largenumber of minute holes 23 a and 23 b for emitting sound are formed ineach of a side surface 22 a of the rear cover 22 on a left side asviewed from the front side of the device and a side surface 22 b of therear cover 22 on a right side as viewed from the front side of thedevice. A left speaker and a right speaker are attached to upper partsinside the side surfaces 22 a and 22 b.

A USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 24 is disposed at a position nearone corner of the rear cover 22. A slide-type wireless LAN (Local AreaNetwork) switch 25 is disposed at a position on a right side as viewedfrom the rear side of the device below the rear cover 22. In addition, asupporting leg 26 is attached at a position on a left side as viewedfrom the rear side of the device below the rear cover 22.

The supporting leg 26 can be turned around one end thereof attached tothe rear surface 21 so that the image display device 10 can be stood ona desk or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, slots 27, 28, and 29 are formed in sidesurfaces on the lower side of the rear cover 22. Three kinds ofcard-shaped or stick-shaped memories 37, 38, and 39 such as a MemoryStick (registered trademark) are inserted into the slots 27, 28, and 29.

As shown in FIG. 2, a panel operating section 41 composed of operatingbuttons such as a power button is disposed on the upper part of the rearsurface 21.

[Configuration and Functions of Image Display Device 10] <ConnectedConfiguration>

FIG. 3 shows an example of a connected configuration of the imagedisplay device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the LCD panel 13 includes an LCD14 and a backlight 15. The image display device 10 has a main CPU(Central Processing Unit) 31 and an auxiliary CPU 32.

The auxiliary CPU 32 is connected with a light receiving section 56, abrightness sensor 42, a temperature sensor 43, and the panel operatingsection 41 and the wireless LAN switch 25 described above.

The light receiving section 56, a light guiding part 54, and theabove-described transparent exterior part (stand) 51 form a lightreceiving device 50. Signal light 1 emitted from an infrared lightemitting section 61 of a remote control 60 enters the light receivingsection 56 via the transparent exterior part 51 and the light guidingpart 54, and is then detected by a light receiving element 57 within thelight receiving section 56.

Though not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the brightness sensor 42 is tocontrol the brightness of the LCD 14 according to the brightness of thevicinity of the image display device 10, the brightness of the vicinityof the image display device 10 being detected by the brightness sensor42. Specifically, the brightness of the LCD 14 is heightened when thevicinity is bright, and the brightness of the LCD 14 is lowered when thevicinity is dark.

Though not shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the temperature sensor 43 is todisplay the temperature (atmospheric temperature) of the vicinity of theimage display device 10, which temperature is detected by thetemperature sensor 43, on the LCD 14.

The main CPU 31 is connected with a flash memory 33 and a main memory 34formed by a RAM (Random Access Memory). Various necessary programs anddata such as still image data or music data are written to the flashmemory 33 in advance.

Data such as still image data or music data is expanded in the mainmemory 34 for reproduction and display of a still image, reproductionand output of music, and the like, and is temporarily stored in the mainmemory 34. These pieces of still image data, music data and the like areobtained from a server by the image display device 10 connecting to theserver as later described, or obtained from the above-described memory37, 38, or 39.

In addition, the main CPU 31 is connected with an LCD control circuit44, a backlight control circuit 45, and an audio processing section 46.The above-described left and right speakers 47L and 47R are connected tothe output side of the audio processing section 46. The audio processingsection 46 includes a D/A converter for converting digital audio datasuch as music data into an analog audio signal, and an audio amplifiercircuit.

The main CPU 31 is also connected with a wireless LAN module 48. Thewireless LAN module 48 is connected with a built-in antenna 49.

The main CPU 31 is also connected with the above-described USB terminal24 and a memory control circuit 36 via a USB interface 35. The memorycontrol circuit 36 is connected with the memories 37, 38, and 39inserted into the slots 27, 28, and 29.

The main CPU 31 is also connected with a clock circuit 40. The clockcircuit 40 has a calendar function, and is able to provide a presentdate, a present day of the week, and a present time.

The main CPU 31 is further connected with a new arrival LED (LightEmitting Diode) 70. Though not shown in FIG. 1, the new arrival LED 70is disposed at a position such that when the new arrival LED 70 isturned on to emit light, at least the light can be seen from the frontside of the image display device 10. When new still image datadisplayable by a “share frame” function to be described later occurs,the new arrival LED 70 is lit to notify this.

<Function>

The image display device 10 of the above configuration can obtaincontent data from a predetermined server device on the Internet, a homeserver on a LAN, a built-in memory, an external memory connected to theimage display device 10, and the like, and reproduce the content data.Incidentally, the obtainable content data includes still image data,moving image data, graphics data, text data, music data and the like.

Description in the following will be made of a case where still imagedata is obtained from a home server on a LAN and is then reproduced. Thewireless LAN switch 25 is turned on by being slid to the right as viewedfrom the rear side of the device as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the imagedisplay device 10 connects to a predetermined home server to obtaincontent data recorded on the home server and then reproduce the contentdata.

The home server as a connecting destination in this case is, forexample, a main home server such as a PC (Personal Computer) having ahigh-capacity hard disk storage device or a hard disk recorder, or anauxiliary home server such as a notebook PC.

A connecting destination selecting screen for selecting connectable homeservers is displayed on the LCD 14 by an operation on the remote control60. When a user selects a home server as a connecting destination, themain CPU 31 connects to the home server selected by the user through thewireless LAN module 48.

Thereby, for example, folders recorded on the home server selected bythe user are first displayed as a folder selecting screen on the LCD 14.Then, when the user selects a folder from the folders by an operation onthe remote control 60, files in the selected folder are displayed as afile selecting screen on the LCD 14.

When the user selects a file through the remote control 60 in thisstate, a photograph image of the selected file is displayed in anenlarged state on the LCD 14. Further, when the user specifies a slideshow display, photograph images of the files in the folder aresequentially displayed in an enlarged state on the LCD 14.

In addition, by connecting the image display device 10 with variousexternal devices via a USB cable, still images and music retained on therecording media of the external devices can be similarly reproduced.

In addition, by inserting the memory 37, 38, or 39 into the slot 27, 28,or 29, or by mounting a memory provided with a USB terminal into the USBterminal 24, still images and music can be similarly reproduced.

Further, the image display device 10 according to the present embodimentcan access a predetermined server device on the Internet via a LAN,obtain news, a weather forecast, and various other information, andreproduce the news, the weather forecast, and the various otherinformation.

Thus, the image display device 10 according to the present embodimentcan be provided with various data such as still image data, moving imagedata, music data, text data, and Web pages from data providing sourcessuch as various media, and reproduce the various data.

Incidentally, as a data providing source, first, a built-in memory suchas the flash memory 33 is cited. In addition, various external memoriesconnected via the memory control circuit 36 are cited. In addition, aUSB memory or an external device connected to the USB terminal 24 iscited. Further, various external devices on a LAN connected via thewireless LAN module 48 and the built-in antenna 49, various serverdevices on the Internet connected via the LAN, and the like are cited.

In addition, at a time of display of a still image or a moving image,the main CPU 31 obtains a present date and a present day of the weekfrom the clock circuit 40 and displays the present date and the presentday of the week, whereby the image display device 10 can be used also asa calendar. In addition, the main CPU 31 obtains a present time from theclock circuit 40 and displays the present time, whereby the imagedisplay device 10 can be used also as a clock.

[New Function Based on Concept of “Frame”]

In regard to use of still image data, the image display device 10according to the present embodiment can not only display an image basedon image data of a selected image file and make a slide show display ofimages based on image data of a selected image folder, as describedabove.

The image display device 10 according to the present embodiment realizesvarious new functions on the basis of a new concept of “frame,” whichassociates an access destination such as a folder or a medium with amode of output of content data obtained from the access destination.

[Mode of Output of Still Images]

Description will be made below of output modes (display modes) in a casewhere content data in the image display device 10 according to thepresent embodiment is still image data. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D arediagrams of assistance in explaining output modes (display modes) when astill image is displayed, which modes are selectable in the imagedisplay device 10 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the image display device 10 according to thepresent embodiment can display a still image based on still image datain a fixed manner or display a large number of still images bysequentially changing a still image being displayed in one of the fourdisplay modes.

FIG. 4A represents a case where one still image (image A) and a datedisplay dt are displayed on the whole of the display screen 14G of theLCD 14.

In FIG. 4B, two still images are simultaneously displayed within onescreen by dividing the display screen 14G of the LCD 14 into two equalparts on a left side and a right side and displaying an image A in onepart and an image B in the other part, for example, and a date displaydt is made on the lower side of the display screen as in the case ofFIG. 4A.

In FIG. 4C, four display areas are formed by dividing the display screen14G of the LCD 14 into two equal parts in a horizontal direction andalso dividing the display screen 14G of the LCD 14 in a verticaldirection, images A, B, and C are displayed in three of the four displayareas, and a date display dt is made with the remaining one display areaas a date display area.

In the case of the display mode shown in FIG. 4C, the ¼ (one-fourth)display area at the lower left of the display screen 14G is a datedisplay area. Incidentally, another ¼ display area can also be set as adate display area. Incidentally, which of the ¼ display areas is set asa date display area is determined in advance at the time ofmanufacturing. However, a user may be allowed to change the date displayarea.

In FIG. 4D, four display areas are formed by dividing the display screen14G of the LCD 14 into two equal parts in a horizontal direction andalso dividing the display screen 14G of the LCD 14 in a verticaldirection as in the case of FIG. 4C, and images A, B, C, and D aredisplayed in the four respective display areas. In addition, in theexample shown in FIG. 4D, a date display dt is displayed on the lowerside of the display screen as in the cases of the display modes shown inFIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

Incidentally, in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the date display dt is a display of“February 22 (Friday).” The date display dt is displayed on the basis ofa present date and a present day of the week provided from the clockcircuit 40 connected to the main CPU 31. The calendar function of theimage display device 10 according to the present embodiment is realizedby the date display dt.

While description has been made supposing that the date display dt ismade in FIGS. 4A to 4D, a time display can also be made in place of thedate display dt. In addition, as to the time display, one of a 12-hourrepresentation such as “11:20 p.m.” and a 24-hour representation such as“13:30,” for example, can be used as a digital display.

It is also possible to use a clock character as an analog display, andmake a time display by a long hand and a short hand. The time display tobe used can be selected and set by a user.

When still images are displayed while changed sequentially, informationincluding the number of display images within one screen as describedwith reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D and at least a display changing timeindicating a cycle in which display is changed is information indicatinga display mode.

Thus, the image display device 10 according to the present embodimenthas four display patterns as described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D,and is able to display still images in various display modes by takingthe display changing time and a performance time range also into accountin addition to the four display patterns.

[Share Frame]

The image display device 10 according to the present embodiment realizesa function of “share frame” as one of new functions using the newconcept of “frame” described above. An outline of the function of the“share frame” is as follows.

The “share frame” is a function for the purpose of sharing photographs(still images) among people at physically distant locations. FIG. 5 is adiagram of assistance in explaining the “share frame.”

In FIG. 5, as shown by album A, album B, album C, and album D, the“share frame” allows access to a maximum of four albums such as albumsof photograph sharing services provided on server devices on theInternet. Thus, the word “album” in the present specification refersmainly to albums provided on server devices on a predetermined networksuch as the Internet.

In the “share frame,” as shown in FIG. 5, the display screen 14G of theLCD 14 in the image display device 10 is divided into a plurality ofdisplay areas. Then, photographs obtained from basically differentaccess destinations are displayed in respective different display areason the same screen that has been divided. Incidentally, each displayarea formed by dividing the display screen 14G will hereinafter bereferred to as a “divided display area” or simply as a “frame.”

Incidentally, in FIG. 5, as shown by album A and album A2, a pluralityof albums (photograph providing sources) can be registered for onedivided display area (“frame A” in FIG. 5).

In FIG. 5, URLs (A), (A2), (B), (C), and (D) shown at the side of therespective albums A, A2, B, C, and D are URLs (Uniform ResourceLocators) indicating the locations of the respective albums. Thoughdescribed later in detail, the URLs of the respective albums areregistered in correspondence with the respective frames as divideddisplay areas, so that the album of a providing source providingphotographs to be displayed can be identified for each frame.

In the “share frame,” information including a still image for a profilesuch as a photograph of the face of the owner of an album, the name ofthe owner, and the like is displayed in a state of being superimposed ona displayed photograph. Thereby the owner of the photograph can beidentified. In addition, the “share frame” can usually make a slide showdisplay of photographs in an album.

Incidentally, the album owner in this case does not mean only a personwho actually owns the album. A person who is a main subject in eachalbum, a person who took photographs in the album, or the like may be analbum owner.

For example, in a case where a parent makes an agreement on the use of aphotograph sharing service to set up an album, and registers photographsof a child in the album, the owner of the album in use may be the childeven though the actual owner of the album is the parent.

[Outline of Operation at Time of “Share Frame”]

Description will next be made of an outline of operation of the imagedisplay device 10 according to the present embodiment at a time of the“share frame.” FIGS. 6 to 10 are diagrams of assistance in explaining anexample of display images displayed on the image display device 10according to the present embodiment in relation to the “share frame.”

As will be described later in detail, as shown in FIG. 5, the URL of analbum as a photograph providing source is associated with each frame(divided display area) formed by dividing the display screen 14G.

Thus, the main CPU 31 of the image display device 10 according to thepresent embodiment periodically accesses the target album using the URLto check periodically whether a new photograph has been added to thealbum.

When detecting that a photograph has been added to the target album, themain CPU 31 turns on the new arrival LED 70 connected to the main CPU31, as described with reference to FIG. 3. Thereby the user is notifiedof the presence of the newly added photograph, that is, the presence ofthe newly arrived photograph.

It is to be noted that while the presence of the newly arrivedphotograph is notified by turning on the new arrival LED 70 in thiscase, the present invention is not limited to this. The presence of thenewly arrived photograph may be notified by blinking the new arrival LED70.

When the new arrival LED is lit or blinking, the user checks a “home” inthe present embodiment, and selects a frame in which a “NEW” mark isdisplayed. The “home” in this case corresponds to a so-called main menuon which selection items of functions that can be performed in the imagedisplay device 10 are registered. The main CPU 31 forms the display ofthe home on the basis of information stored in the flash memory 33, andmakes the display of the home displayed on the display screen of the LCD14 via the LCD control circuit 44.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display image of theso-called “home” displayed on the display screen 14G of the imagedisplay device 10 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, threeselection items of a music frame S1, a share frame S2, and a help S3 aredisplayed as selection items of performable functions.

Displayed in each selection item are a still image representing theitem, a musical note, a human-shaped mark, a question mark or the likeindicating the type of the item or the like, characters such as “music,”“share,” or “help” indicating the type of the item or the like,characters such as “built-in memory,” “AAA:BBB:CCC,” or “To create aframe” indicating the access destination of the frame, a title, or thelike.

As shown in FIG. 6, at an upper left end part of the share frame S2 as aselection item, a “NEW” mark S21 indicating the presence of a photographnewly added to an album accessible in the share frame is displayed.

By selecting the share frame S2 in which the “NEW” mark S21 isdisplayed, the share frame having the newly added photograph as adisplay object is executed to display the newly added photograph and thelike.

Incidentally, a large number of frames can be created and registered inthe “home.” Thus, as for share frames, a large number of share frameswith different numbers of divisions of the display screen and differentalbums of access destinations can be formed and registered in the“home.”

Scrolling the display image in the “home” displayed as shown in FIG. 6can sequentially change the selection items being displayed to find adesired frame and select the frame.

By selecting a selection item for executing a desired “share frame” inthe “home,” an image is displayed by the “share frame.”

FIGS. 7 to 10 are diagrams of assistance in explaining concrete examplesof display of an image by the “share frame.” Of the diagrams, FIG. 7shows a case where the albums of two people are displayedsimultaneously. The display screen 14G is divided into two parts on aleft side and a right side, and photographs of the different albums canbe displayed in frame A and frame B as respective divided display areas.

Displayed at the lower end side of frame A are a still image U11 for aprofile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame A, a name display U21 of the owner, and adisplay U31 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

Similarly, displayed at the lower end side of frame B are a still imageU12 for a profile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame B, a name display U22 of the owner, and adisplay U32 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

Thereby the owners of the displayed photographs can be clearlyidentified.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the albums of three people are displayedsimultaneously. The whole of the display screen 14G is divided into fourparts by dividing the display screen 14G into two parts on a left sideand a right side and also dividing the display screen 14G into two partson an upper side and a lower side. Image A, image B, and image C, whichare photographs from different albums, are displayed in frame A, frameB, and frame D, respectively. Further, a present time obtained from theclock circuit 40 is displayed in frame C as the remaining divideddisplay area.

Displayed at the upper end side of frame A are a still image U11 for aprofile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame A, a name display U21 of the owner, and adisplay U31 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

Similarly, displayed at the upper end side of frame B are a still imageU12 for a profile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame B, a name display U22 of the owner, and adisplay U32 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

Similarly, displayed at the lower end side of frame D are a still imageU13 for a profile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame D, a name display U23 of the owner, and adisplay U33 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the albums of four people are displayedsimultaneously. The whole of the display screen 14G is divided into fourparts by dividing the display screen 14G into two parts on a left sideand a right side and also dividing the display screen 14G into two partson an upper side and a lower side. Image A, image B, image C, and imageD, which are photographs from different albums, are displayed in frameA, frame B, frame C, and frame D, respectively.

Displayed at the upper end side of frame A are a still image U11 for aprofile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame A, a name display U21 of the owner, and adisplay U31 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

Similarly, displayed at the upper end side of frame B are a still imageU12 for a profile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame B, a name display U22 of the owner, and adisplay U32 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

Similarly, displayed at the lower end side of frame C are a still imageU13 for a profile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame C, a name display U23 of the owner, and adisplay U33 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

Similarly, displayed at the lower end side of frame D are a still imageU14 for a profile of the owner of the album as a providing source of thephotograph displayed in frame D, a name display U24 of the owner, and adisplay U34 of photographing date and time information of the displayedimage.

As with FIG. 8, FIG. 10 shows a case where the albums of three peopleare displayed simultaneously. In the example shown in FIG. 10, a “NEW”mark (new arrival mark) 14N is displayed in frame A. The “NEW” mark 14Nindicates the presence of a photograph added to the album providing thephotograph displayed in frame A (providing source of photograph data).

Thus, as shown by the “NEW” mark 14N, a new arrival mark is displayed inthe frame (divided display area) displaying a photograph of the album towhich the new photograph is added. Thereby the user can easily grasp inwhich frame the new photograph is present.

Incidentally, in the examples shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the display screenis divided into a plurality of divided display areas. However, whenthere is only one album providing photographs, the display screen 14G isset as one frame (divided display area) as shown in FIG. 4A, and aphotograph from the target album is displayed in the frame.

[One Example of Share Frame Information]

Description will next be made of information necessary to realize the“share frame,” which forms frames as divided display areas by dividingthe display screen 14G and displays photographs from different albums ineach frame, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

In order to realize the “share frame,” share frame information(associating information) for enabling images to be displayed by thefunction of the “share frame” is registered in the flash memory 33 byperforming an operation of creating the “share frame” in advance.

As will be described below in detail, basically, the share frameinformation indicates how the display screen is divided, and associateseach divided display area (each frame) formed by dividing the displayscreen with an album as a providing source of a photograph to bedisplayed. Description in the following will be made of an example ofthe share frame information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of the shareframe information used in the image display device 10 according to thepresent embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the share frame information hasa file ID for identifying the share frame information itself managed asa file, and the title of the share frame.

As shown in FIG. 11, the share frame information also has the “number ofdisplay photographs within one screen,” which indicates the number ofparts into which the display screen 14G is divided, a “display changingtime” indicating timing of changing a display image when a slide showdisplay is made, and other information.

The other information includes, for example, information indicatingwhether to display a present date and a present day of the week or todisplay a present time. In addition, when the present time is to bedisplayed, there is information indicating whether to make a digitaldisplay or an analog display. In addition, in the case of the digitaldisplay, there is, for example, information indicating whether to make aso-called 12-hour display such as 1 a.m. or 1 p.m. or to make aso-called 24-hour display such as 1 or 13.

In the image display device 10 according to the present embodiment, whenthe “number of display photographs within one screen” is “2,” thedisplay screen 14G is divided into two parts on a left side and a rightside as shown in FIG. 7, and the two frames (frame A and frame B) areset as divided display areas in which photographs are displayed.

When the “number of display photographs within one screen” is “3,” thedisplay screen 14G is divided into two parts on a left side and a rightside and is also divided into two parts on an upper side and a lowerside as shown in FIG. 8, and three frames (frame A, frame B, and frameD) are set as divided display areas in which photographs are displayed.

When the “number of display photographs within one screen” is “4,” thedisplay screen 14G is divided into two parts on a left side and a rightside and is also divided into two parts on an upper side and a lowerside as shown in FIG. 9, and the four frames (frame A, frame B, frame C,and frame D) are set as divided display areas in which photographs aredisplayed.

A user name, a profile photograph (described as a still image for aprofile in FIG. 11), and an album URL are set for each frame as adivided display area formed by dividing the display screen.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, a user name, a profile photograph,and an album URL are associated with a frame ID. The user name in thiscase is the name of the owner of the album, and may be a nickname, analias or the like.

The profile photograph is the file name of a photograph of the face ofthe owner of the album or the file name of an image such as a photographrepresenting the owner of the album. As described above, the album URLindicates the location of the album providing photographs (providingsource of the photographs) which album is set for each frame formed bydividing the display screen 14G.

Incidentally, a plurality of album URLs can be associated with eachframe. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, two URLs, that is,a URL(A) and a URL(A2) are associated with frame A. Three URLs, that is,a URL(B), a URL(B2), and a URL(B3) are associated with frame B.

These pieces of information make it possible to check the photographdata (still image data) of target albums and check whether there is anew photograph on the basis of URLs associated with each frame formed bydividing the display screen.

When a check is made for newly added photograph data, and there is newphotograph data, an update date and time (latest) is updated with a dateand time of registration of the photograph in the relevant album. Inaddition, when the new photograph data is detected, a new arrival flagis turned on (value “1”).

Thereby, it is possible to grasp, by the share frame information,whether there is newly added photograph data and when the photographdata was added in a case where the newly added photograph data ispresent, for each frame formed by dividing the display screen.

When the function of the share frame is to be used, such share frameinformation is registered in the flash memory 33 of the image displaydevice 10 in advance. Thereby photographs can be displayed in the modesshown in FIGS. 7 to 10 by merely forming the selection item of the“share frame” in the “home” and selecting the selection item of the“share frame” as described with reference to FIG. 6.

[Process of Registering Share Frame Information]

Description will next be made of a process of registering the shareframe information formed as described with reference to FIG. 11 showingan example of the share frame information. FIG. 12 is a flowchart ofassistance in explaining an example of the process of registering theshare frame information. The process of FIG. 12 is performed mainly inthe main CPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU 32 in the image display device 10according to the present embodiment when an operation to create a “shareframe” is performed via the panel operating section 41 or the like.

In this example, the main CPU 31 first receives an input of the title ofthe “share frame” via the auxiliary CPU 32 and the panel operatingsection 41 or the remote control 60 (step S101). In this case, a simplecharacter input, for example, can be performed.

The main CPU 31 next receives a selection input of the number N ofdisplay photographs of one screen (number of display images to bedisplayed on one screen) via the auxiliary CPU 32 and the paneloperating section 41 or the like (step S102). The process of step S102receives a selection input of a desired number, which is the number ofstill images to be displayed within one screen, and is one (FIG. 4A),two (FIG. 4B), three (FIG. 4C), or four (FIG. 4D) as described withreference to FIGS. 4A to 4D.

The main CPU 31 then receives a selection input of a display changingtime t via the auxiliary CPU 32 and the panel operating section 41 orthe like (step S103). The display changing time t indicates the displaytime of an image displayed on the display screen 14G of the LCD 14.Specifically, the display changing time t can be selected from “15seconds,” “1 minute,” “10 minutes,” “30 minutes,” “1 hour,” “4 hours,”“do not change” and the like.

The main CPU 31 then receives an input of a user name, the file name ofa profile photograph, and an album URL for each frame formed by dividingthe display screen via the auxiliary CPU 32 and the panel operatingsection 41 or the like (step S104). In the process of step S104, asshown in FIG. 11, one user name and one file name of a profilephotograph can be input for each frame, and one or more album URLs canbe input for each frame.

The main CPU 31 thereafter receives a confirmation input via theauxiliary CPU 32 and the panel operating section 41 or the like (stepS105). The main CPU 31 then determines whether the confirmation inputreceived in step S105 indicates that the selection inputs of the variousinformation are correct (whether “OK” is selected) (step S106).

When the main CPU 31 determines in the determination process of stepS106 that “Back,” “No” or the like is selected as the confirmation inputreceived in step S105 and that the confirmation input received in stepS105 does not indicate that the selection inputs of the variousinformation are correct, the main CPU 31 repeats the process from stepS101. This allows selection inputs of various information to beperformed again.

When the main CPU 31 determines in the determination process of stepS106 that the confirmation input received in step S105 indicates thatthe selection inputs of the various information are correct, the mainCPU 31 performs a process of generating and registering new share frameinformation (a process of registering a new “share frame”) (step S107).Then the process of registering the share frame information whichprocess is shown in FIG. 12 is ended.

Incidentally, in the process of step S107, share frame information inthe mode shown in FIG. 11 is formed by associating the variousinformation received in steps S101 to S104. Then, the formed share frameinformation is registered in a predetermined memory, and the “shareframe” is registered so as to be selectable in the “home” correspondingto a so-called menu. Description will be made supposing that adestination where the share frame information is registered in the imagedisplay device 10 according to the present embodiment is the flashmemory 33.

Thus, the share frame information in the mode shown in FIG. 11 is formedand retained in the flash memory 33 connected to the main CPU 31.

[Process of Checking for Newly Arrived Data]

Description will next be made of a process of checking for newly arriveddata which process is performed on the basis of the share frameinformation formed in the flash memory 33 of the image display device 10according to the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 11.

The process of checking for newly arrived data to be described belowchecks for each frame (divided display area) formed by dividing thedisplay screen 14G whether there is data newly added to an album as aproviding source providing photograph data displayed in the frame. Thus,a photograph list of each of albums associated with each frame isobtained, and whether there is newly arrived data is determined on thebasis of the photograph list.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of recordinginformation of a photograph album provided on a server device on theInternet or the like. An album in this example provided on a serverdevice on the Internet is composed of a photograph list and photographdata (photograph data files).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, a large number of pieces ofphotograph data (photograph data files) from a user are stored in thealbum formed on the server device on the Internet, and a list of thestored photograph data is formed as a photograph list in the album.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of thephotograph list as management information of the photograph albumprovided on the server device on the Internet. As shown in FIG. 14, thephotograph list has a file name, a photographing date and time, an imagesize, and an addition date and time.

The file name can uniquely identify photograph data registered in thealbum. The photographing date and time indicates a photographing dateand time of the photograph data. The image size indicates the size ofthe photograph, and is represented by the numbers of dots in a verticaldirection and a horizontal direction, for example. The addition date andtime is information indicating a date and time when the photograph datawas added to the album.

This photograph list makes it possible to learn when each of the piecesof photograph data registered in the album formed on the server deviceon the Internet was taken, how large the size of the photograph data is,and when the photograph data was added to the album.

The image display device 10 according to the present embodiment checks,in each predetermined timing, for newly arrived photograph data in thealbums associated with each frame as described with reference to FIG.11.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of assistance in explaining the process of checkingfor newly arrived data which process is performed in the image displaydevice 10 according to the present embodiment. The process representedin FIG. 15 is performed on the basis of share frame information afterregistration of the share frame information as described with referenceto FIG. 11, and is ended when the share frame information itself isdeleted or the specification of albums corresponding to a frame isdeleted.

Thus, the process represented in FIG. 15 can check for newly arriveddata in appropriate timing even when the function of the share frame isnot performed.

After the share frame information is registered in the flash memory 33,the main CPU 31 performs the process represented in FIG. 15 for eachframe (divided display area) registered as described with reference toFIG. 11.

The main CPU 31 first accesses an album provided on a server device onthe Internet which album provides photograph data to the frame on thebasis of the share frame information registered in the flash memory 33,and obtains the photograph list of the album (step S201). The photographlist obtained in this step has the constitution described with referenceto FIG. 14.

The main CPU 31 refers to addition dates and times of the obtainedphotograph list to search for a latest photograph (photograph data)(step S202). In step S202, the photograph data of the youngest (latest)addition date and time is identified.

The main CPU 31 next sets the addition date and time (latest date andtime) of the latest photograph data identified in step S202 to avariable “latest” (step S203). The main CPU 31 then sets a next listobtainment time (step S204).

The next list obtainment time set in step S204 is determined in advance.For example, the next list obtainment time can be set in one-hour unitssuch as at intervals of one hour, at intervals of two hours, or atintervals of three hours, or a predetermined time such as 0 a.m. everyday can be set.

Suppose that the image display device 10 according to the presentembodiment is set in advance to obtain the photograph list four times aday at intervals of six hours, for example. In this case, the main CPU31 sets a time after six hours in step S204.

Then, the main CPU 31 monitors the present time of the clock circuit 40connected to the main CPU 31, and determines whether the obtainment timehas arrived (step S205). When the main CPU 31 determines in thedetermination process of step S205 that the next obtainment time has notarrived, the main CPU 31 repeats the process from step S205, and is thusset in a waiting state until the next obtainment time arrives.

When the main CPU 31 determines in the determination process of stepS205 that the next obtainment time has arrived, the main CPU 31 refersto the share frame information referred to in step S201 to check whetheran object is deleted (step S206).

The process of step S206 determines whether the object is deleted mainlyfrom the following viewpoints. First, it is determined that the objectis deleted when album URLs to be registered for the corresponding frameof the share frame information being referred to are deleted. It isdetermined that the object is deleted also when the target share frameinformation itself is deleted. It is determined that the object isdeleted also when the album that should be present on the server deviceon the Internet cannot be accessed.

When determining in the determination process of step S206 that theobject is deleted, the main CPU 31 ends the process represented in FIG.15.

When determining in the determination process of step S206 that theobject is not deleted, the main CPU 31 performs a similar process to theprocess of step S201 described above. Specifically, the main CPU 31accesses the album provided on the server device on the Internet whichalbum provides photograph data to the frame on the basis of the shareframe information registered in the flash memory 33, and obtains thephotograph list of the album (step S207).

The main CPU 31 next performs a similar process to the process of stepS202 described above. Specifically, the main CPU 31 refers to additiondates and times of the obtained photograph list to search for a latestphotograph (photograph data) (step S208).

The main CPU 31 next sets the addition date and time (latest date andtime) of the latest photograph data identified in step S208 to avariable “time” (step S209). The main CPU 31 then determines whether thevariable “time” set in step S209 is larger than the variable “latest”set in step S203 (step S210).

The determination process of step S210 determines whether the value ofthe variable “time” is newer than the value of the variable “latest.”That is, the determination process of step S210 determines whether newphotograph data has been added to the album providing photograph data tothe frame.

When it is determined in the determination process of step S210 that thevariable “time” is not larger than the variable “latest,” it can bedetermined that new photograph data has not been added. In this case,the main CPU 31 repeats the process from step S204.

When it is determined in the determination process of step S210 that thevariable “time” is larger than the variable “latest,” it can bedetermined that new photograph data has been added. In this case, themain CPU 31 sets the value of the variable “time” as the variable“latest” (step S211).

The main CPU 31 then controls the new arrival LED 70 to light the newarrival LED (step S212). Next, the main CPU 31 turns on (“1”) the newarrival flag of the corresponding frame of the share frame informationbeing referred to, and sets the value of the variable “latest” as anupdate date and time (step S213). The main CPU 31 thereafter repeats theprocess from step S204.

Thus, in the process represented in FIG. 15, the process of steps S204to S213 is repeatedly performed in each predetermined timing until theobject is no longer present. It is thereby possible to detect surelywhether photographs to be displayed by the function of the share frameinclude a new displayable photograph, and notify this to the user.

[Process of Displaying Photographs by Share Frame]

Description will next be made of a process when photographs aredisplayed by the function of the share frame. FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 areflowcharts of assistance in explaining a process of displayingphotographs by the share frame.

The process represented in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 is performed mainly bythe main CPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU 32 by selecting the selection itemof the desired share frame displayed in the “home” (corresponding to aselection menu) as described with reference to FIG. 6.

The main CPU 31 first loads the share frame information of the shareframe specified by the user to be executed from the flash memory 33 intothe main memory 34 (step S301). This share frame information is formedas shown in FIG. 11 by the process described with reference to FIG. 12,and has update dates and times and new arrival flags updated in eachpredetermined timing by the process represented in FIG. 15.

The main CPU 31 then loads the image data of profile photographs foreach frame (divided display area) from corresponding files into the mainmemory 34 on the basis of information on the profile photographs of theloaded share frame information so as to be able to display the imagedata of the profile photographs for each frame (step S302). In stepS302, the main CPU 31 also loads user names for each frame into the mainmemory 34 on the basis of information on the user names of the shareframe information so as to be able to display the user names for eachframe.

The main CPU 31 next starts a process of loading photograph data ofphotographs to be displayed in each frame into the main memory 34 on thebasis of album URLs of each frame of the loaded share frame information(step S303).

The main CPU 31 then determines whether the loading of the photographdata of the photographs to be displayed in each frame is completed (stepS304). When it is determined in the determination process of step S304that the load is not completed yet, the main CPU 31 determines whetherthe load has failed (step S305).

The determination process of step S305 determines whether the photographdata is obtained normally without response from an album as an accessdestination being absent or without the photograph data beinguntransmitted, for example.

When determining in the determination process of step S305 that theloading of the photograph data has failed, the main CPU 31 displays amessage notifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded(step S306), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 16 and FIG.17. Specifically, in step S306, the main CPU 31 forms a messagenotifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded, anddisplays the message on the display screen 14G of the LCD 14 bycontrolling the LCD control circuit 44 and the like. The main CPU 31thereafter ends the process represented in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17.

When determining in the determination process of step S305 that theloading of the photograph data has not failed, the main CPU 31 displaysa message notifying the user that the photograph data is being loaded(step S307), and then repeats the process from step S304. That is, instep S307, the main CPU 31 forms a message notifying the user that thephotograph data is being loaded, and displays the message on the displayscreen 14G of the LCD 14 by controlling the LCD control circuit 44 andthe like. The main CPU 31 thereafter repeats the process from step S304.

When determining in the determination process of step S304 that the loadis completed, the main CPU 31 performs a process of displaying thephotographs based on the loaded photograph data in each frame formed bydividing the display screen according to the share frame information(step S308).

The process of step S308 divides the display screen 14G into a specifiednumber of frames (divided display areas) on the basis of the share frameinformation, and forms, in the main memory 34, a display image fordisplaying the photographs according to the photograph data loaded intothe main memory 34 in the respective frames. The main CPU 31 thensupplies the formed display image to the LCD 14 through the LCD controlsection 44 to display the display image on the display screen 14G of theLCD 14. The photographing dates and times of the photographs displayedin each frame are also displayed.

The main CPU 31 thereafter proceeds to the process of FIG. 17, anddetermines whether there is newly arrived data for each frame byreferring to the new arrival flags of the share frame information loadedinto the main memory 34 in step S301 (step S309).

When determining in the determination process of step S309 that there isnewly arrived data, the main CPU 31 displays a new arrival mark “NEW”indicating that there is newly arrived data within a corresponding frame(divided display area) as described with reference to FIG. 10 (stepS310).

When determining in the determination process of step S309 that there isno newly arrived data, and after the process of displaying the newarrival mark in step S310, the main CPU 31 performs a process of loadingthe photograph data of photographs to be displayed next (step S311).

As with the process of step S303, the process of step S311 is a processfor starting a process of loading the photograph data of photographs tobe displayed in each frame into the main memory 34 on the basis of albumURLs of each frame of the share frame information loaded in step S301.

The main CPU 31 then waits for an event (step S312). The process of stepS312 in a case where there is newly arrived data is different from theprocess of step S312 in a case where there is no newly arrived data.Specifically, when there is newly arrived data and the new arrival mark“NEW” is displayed, the occurrence of an operation input from the uservia the panel operating section 41 or the remote control 60 is theoccurrence of an event.

When there is no newly arrived data, the passage of the display changingtime set in the share frame information or the occurrence of anoperation input from the user via the panel operating section 41 or theremote control 60 is the occurrence of an event. Incidentally, thepassage of the display changing time is regarded as the occurrence of anevent when a time from a start of display of the photographs beingdisplayed now exceeds the set display changing time.

Incidentally, when there is newly arrived data, only an operation inputfrom the user is the occurrence of an event in order to allow the userto surely view a photograph based on the newly arrived data.

The main CPU 31 thereafter determines whether an event indicating thatthe process of displaying photographs by the share frame is to be ended,such as an ending operation by the user or having displayed allphotographs to be displayed, has occurred (step S313).

When determining in the determination process of step S313 that an eventindicating that the process of displaying photographs by the share frameis to be ended has occurred, the main CPU 31 performs an ending process(step S314).

The ending process of step S314 includes a plurality of processes. Forexample, when there was newly arrived data and all of the newly arriveddata has been displayed, the ending process of step S314 includes aprocess of turning off (“0”) corresponding new arrival flags of theshare frame information. Whether all of the newly arrived data has beendisplayed can be determined on the basis of whether all of photographdata of associated albums has been used.

The ending process also includes a process of turning off the newarrival LED when reference to all of the other share frame informationshows that all new arrival flags are off (“0”). The ending process alsoincludes a process of erasing the various data loaded into the mainmemory 34 to secure free space.

When the ending process thus including various processes performed instep S314 is ended, the process represented in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 isalso ended.

When determining in the determination process of step S313 that no eventindicating that the process of displaying photographs by the share frameis to be ended has occurred, the main CPU 31 determines whether theloading of the photograph data of the photographs to be displayed ineach frame is completed (step S315).

When it is determined in the determination process of step S315 that theload is not completed yet, the main CPU 31 determines whether the loadhas failed (step S316). The determination process of step S316 is asimilar process to the process of step S305.

When determining in the determination process of step S316 that theloading of the photograph data has failed, the main CPU 31 displays amessage notifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded(step S317), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 16 and FIG.17. The process of step S317 is a similar process to step S306 describedabove.

When determining in the determination process of step S316 that theloading of the photograph data has not failed, the main CPU 31 displaysa message notifying the user that the photograph data is being loaded(step S318), and then repeats the process from step S315. The process ofstep S318 is a similar process to step S307 described above.

When determining in the determination process of step S315 that the loadis completed, the main CPU 31 performs a preparation process fordisplaying the photographs based on the loaded photograph data in eachframe formed by dividing the display screen according to the share frameinformation (step S319).

The main CPU 31 thereafter makes a change so as to erase the image beingdisplayed by gradually darkening the image and so as to display a newimage prepared in step S319 in place of the erased image (step S320).The main CPU 31 thereafter repeats the process from step S311.

It is thereby possible to form a plurality of frames by dividing thedisplay screen of the LCD 14 into a plurality of divided display areas,and display photographs of different owners in the respective frames.Thereby photographs of different owners can be displayed and used on thesame screen.

Incidentally, description has been made above supposing that the displayscreen is divided into a plurality of areas, and that photographs ofdifferent albums are displayed in the respective divided display areas.However, the present invention is not limited to this. When photographsof different owners to be displayed simultaneously are not present, thewhole of the display screen is regarded as one frame (divided displayarea), and a photograph from a target album can be displayed in theframe (divided display area). That is, the present invention isapplicable in cases where the display screen is divided into one or moreframes (divided display areas).

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when the process ofdisplaying photographs by the share frame is performed and a new arrivalmark “NEW” is displayed, the occurrence of an operation input from theuser is a display changing event. This is to allow the user to surelyview a newly arrived photograph. However, it may be difficult todistinguish the newly arrived photograph.

Accordingly, when there is a newly arrived photograph, the newly arrivedphotograph is displayed preferentially at a time of changing to a shareframe display, and the newly arrived photograph remains displayed untilthere is an operation input from the user to advance to a nextphotograph display. In this case, the display image is not changedautomatically even when an automatic advance setting is made.

Usually, an album includes many photographs, and it is difficult todistinguish a newly arrived photograph. However, when display startswith a newly arrived photograph at a time of displaying a share frameafter the user notices a new arrival mark, and the display is changedaccording to a user operation, as described above, the user can surelyview the newly arrived photograph.

That is, even when a newly arrived photograph is displayed at a time ofarrival of the new photograph in a state of the share frame beingdisplayed, the newly arrived photograph cannot be distinguished if anautomatic photograph advance is made in a state in which it is notcertain whether the user is viewing the newly arrived photograph.

Accordingly, the newly arrived photograph is first displayedpreferentially, and the automatic photograph advance is stopped untilthe user performs a photograph advancing operation to display a nextphotograph (actually an operation of pressing a right arrow button ofthe remote control 60, for example). Thereby, the newly arrivedphotograph can be clearly shown to the user, and the user can surelyview the newly arrived photograph.

Incidentally, in the share frame, it is possible to select and set oneof two display modes shown in the following. That is, it is possible toselect and set a mode suited to a use of the user from:

(1) a mode in which photographs are displayed from a start of an albumeven when there is a newly arrived photograph and the photographs beingdisplayed are changed only when there is an operation input from theuser; and

(2) a mode in which when there is a newly arrived photograph, the newlyarrived photograph is displayed preferentially and photograph display ischanged according to an operation input from the user.

Further, (1) a mode in which photographs are displayed from a start ofan album even when there is a newly arrived photograph and photographdisplay is changed automatically may be added as a third mode.

Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, the functions of thestoring means are realized by the flash memory 33. The functions of theobtaining means are realized mainly by the main CPU 31 and the wirelessLAN module 48. The functions of the forming means are realized by themain CPU 31. The functions of the display processing means are realizedby the main CPU 31, the LCD control circuit 44, and the LCD 14.

The receiving means is realized by the auxiliary CPU 32, the paneloperating section 41, the remote control 60 and the light receivingsection 56, and the like. The functions of the measuring means arerealized by the clock circuit 40. The functions of the displaycontrolling means are realized by the main CPU 31.

The functions of the detecting means are realized mainly by the mainCPU. The functions of the notifying means are realized mainly by the newarrival LED 70. The functions of the updating means are realized by themain CPU 31. The functions of the new arrival notifying means and thefunctions of the notifying means are realized by the main CPU 31, theLCD control circuit 44, the LCD 14 and the like.

[Tag Frame]

The image display device 10 according to the present embodiment alsorealizes a function of a “tag frame” as one of new functions using thenew concept of “frame” described above. While the “share frame”described above and the “tag frame” are different from each other inmethod of identifying photograph data to be displayed, the display modesof the “share frame” and the “tag frame” are similar to each other.Accordingly, description will also be made of the function of the “tagframe” similar in the display mode to the “share frame” described above.An outline of the function of the “tag frame” is as follows.

The “tag frame” is a function for the purpose of automaticallyextracting related photograph data using keyword information as one ofpieces of metadata added to the photograph data, and displaying thephotograph data.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D are diagrams of assistance in explainingthe “tag frame.” In FIGS. 18A to 18D, description will be made by takingas an example a case where one photograph is displayed on one screen inorder to simplify the description. However, the present invention is notlimited to this. As in the case of the share frame, one screen can bedivided into a plurality of display areas, and different photographs canbe displayed in the respective display areas.

Each of references FL1, FL2, FL3, and FL4 in FIGS. 18A to 18D denotesphotograph data (photograph data file) recorded in a predeterminedmemory. Each piece of photograph data is roughly composed of a headerpart and a still image data part.

As shown in FIGS. 18A to 18D, the header part has metadata addedthereto, the metadata including a file name, additional information suchas photographing condition information including a photographing dateand time, focus, shutter speed and the like, keyword information, andthe like.

The keyword information in this case is added by the user afterphotographing for the purpose of classification and organization or thelike. Digital cameras allow input of relatively simple characterinformation. In addition, a large amount of keyword information can beinput relatively easily by using a personal computer.

In addition, detailed keyword information is added to some of photographdata registered in albums on photograph sharing servers on the Internet.These pieces of photograph data can be obtained and used relativelyeasily.

Hence, in the case of the “tag frame,” attention is directed tovariously added keyword information of metadata added to each piece ofphotograph data as described above, and photograph data having samekeyword information or similar keyword information is extracted anddisplayed.

In the example shown in FIGS. 18A to 18D, photograph data including akeyword of “Hawaii” in keyword information thereof is extracted. Asshown in FIGS. 18A to 18D, each piece of photograph data includeskeyword information, and the keyword information includes a keyword(word) of “Hawaii.”

In the example shown in FIGS. 18A to 18D, photographs based onphotograph data having the common keyword are displayed in orderindicated by arrows in FIGS. 18A to 18D. Thereby, first, the photographsof the photograph data having the same keyword can be displayed in orderof FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B, FIG. 18C, and FIG. 18D.

In order to display photographs according to keyword information by thefunction of the “tag frame,” tag frame information needs to beregistered in advance. This tag frame information corresponds to shareframe information in the case of using the “share frame” describedabove.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of assistance in explaining an example of tag frameinformation registered in the main memory 34 of the image display device10 in advance.

As shown in FIG. 19, the tag frame information includes a file ID foridentifying the tag frame information itself, a tag frame title, anaccess destination indicating a destination where photograph data to bedisplayed is stored, the number of display photographs of one screenwhich number indicates the number of display photographs displayed onone screen, a “display changing time” indicating timing of changing adisplay image when a slide show display is made, and a maximum number ofdisplay photographs which number indicates a maximum number ofphotographs displayed consecutively.

In addition, the tag frame information in this example has a firstkeyword selecting method set therein when photographs are displayed bythe function of the “tag frame.” In this case, the first keywordselecting method can be selected from three cases, that is, a case of afixed keyword, a case of obtaining a keyword randomly from a keywordfile, and a case of selecting an often used keyword.

“Fixed” uses a keyword input in advance as it is. “Obtaining a keywordrandomly from a keyword file” uses a keyword randomly obtained from akeyword file prepared with a large number of keywords registered thereinin advance. “Selecting an often used keyword” updates the frequency ofinput of character information input to the image display device 10, anduses character information with a high input frequency as a keyword.

Thus, in the tag frame information, the source where photograph data tobe output is stored (access destination), information indicating a modeof display of the photograph data stored in the source, and the firstkeyword selecting method are set in advance.

[Process of Registering Tag Frame Information]

Description will next be made of a process of registering the tag frameinformation formed as described with reference to FIG. 19 showing anexample of the tag frame information. FIG. 20 is a flowchart ofassistance in explaining an example of the process of registering thetag frame information. The process of FIG. 20 is performed mainly in themain CPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU 32 in the image display device 10according to the present embodiment when an operation to create a “tagframe” is performed via the panel operating section 41 or the like.

In this example, the main CPU 31 first receives an input of the title ofthe “tag frame” via the panel operating section 41 or the remote control60 (step S401). In this case, a simple character input, for example, canbe performed.

The main CPU 31 next receives a selection input of an access destinationsuch as a memory storing and retaining photograph data to be displayedvia the panel operating section 41 or the like and the auxiliary CPU 32(step S402). In the process of step S402, it is possible to select abuilt-in memory and an external memory as well as an album on a serverdevice on a LAN, an album on a server device on the Internet, and thelike.

The main CPU 31 next receives a selection input of the number N ofdisplay photographs of one screen (number of display images to bedisplayed on one screen) via the panel operating section 41 or the likeand the auxiliary CPU 32 (step S403). The process of step S403 receivesa selection input of a desired number, which is the number of stillimages to be displayed within one screen, and is one (FIG. 4A), two(FIG. 4B), three (FIG. 4C), or four (FIG. 4D) as described withreference to FIGS. 4A to 4D.

The main CPU 31 then receives a selection input of a display changingtime t via the panel operating section 41 or the like and the auxiliaryCPU 32 (step S404). The display changing time t indicates the displaytime of an image displayed on the display screen 14G of the LCD 14.Specifically, the display changing time t can be selected from “15seconds,” “1 minute,” “10 minutes,” “30 minutes,” “1 hour,” “4 hours,”“do not change” and the like.

The main CPU 31 next receives a selection input of a maximum number ofdisplay photographs via the panel operating section 41 or the like andthe auxiliary CPU 32 (step S405). The maximum number of displayphotographs is used to limit the number of photographs to be displayedin advance when there are a large number of pieces of photograph datahaving a same keyword.

The main CPU 31 finally receives a keyword information selection inputor the like via the panel operating section 41 or the like and theauxiliary CPU 32 (step S406). The process of step S406 sets the firstkeyword selecting method. Specifically, as described above, one of thethree cases of “fixed,” “obtaining a keyword randomly from a keywordfile,” and “selecting an often used keyword” is selected as the firstkeyword selecting method. When “fixed” is selected, an input of fixedkeyword information is also received.

The main CPU 31 thereafter receives a confirmation input via the paneloperating section 41 and the auxiliary CPU 32 (step S407). The main CPU31 then determines whether the confirmation input received in step S407indicates that the selection inputs of the various information arecorrect (whether “OK” is selected) (step S408).

When the main CPU 31 determines in the determination process of stepS408 that “Back,” “No” or the like is selected as the confirmation inputreceived in step S407 and that the confirmation input received in stepS407 does not indicate that the selection inputs of the variousinformation are correct, the main CPU 31 repeats the process from stepS401. This allows selection inputs of various information to beperformed again.

When the main CPU 31 determines in the determination process of stepS408 that the confirmation input received in step S407 indicates thatthe selection inputs of the various information are correct, the mainCPU 31 performs a process of generating and registering new tag frameinformation (a process of registering a new “tag frame”) (step S409).Then the process of registering the tag frame information which processis shown in FIG. 20 is ended.

Incidentally, in the process of step S409, tag frame information in themode shown in FIG. 19 is formed by associating the various informationreceived in steps S401 to S406. Then, the formed tag frame informationis registered in a predetermined memory, and the “tag frame” isregistered so as to be selectable in the “home” corresponding to aso-called menu. Description will be made supposing that a destinationwhere the tag frame information is registered in the image displaydevice 10 according to the present embodiment is the flash memory 33.

Thus, the tag frame information in the mode shown in FIG. 19 is formedand retained in the flash memory 33 connected to the main CPU 31.

[Processes of Displaying Photographs by Tag Frame]

Description will next be made of processes when photographs aredisplayed by the function of the tag frame. Two display processes (afirst display process and a second display process) are considered whenphotographs having a same keyword are displayed by the function of thetag frame.

The first display process is roughly performed in two stages of:

(1) finding photographs having a same keyword from a first keyword; and

(2) making a slide show display of the found photographs.

The second display process includes:

(1) finding photographs having a same keyword from a first keyword;

(2) while making a slide show display of the found photographs,collecting keywords of the individual photographs without duplication;and

(3) after finishing collecting keywords of the photographs for display,selecting one keyword other than the first keyword, and repeating theprocess from (1).

The second display process thus repeats the process of (1) and (2) whilechanging the keyword. In the following, description will be made ofdetails of the first display process and the second display processdescribed above.

[First Display Process of Displaying Photographs by Tag Frame]

FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are flowcharts of assistance in explaining the firstdisplay process of displaying photographs by the tag frame.

As in the case of the share frame described above, the processrepresented in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 is performed mainly by the main CPU31 and the auxiliary CPU 32 by selecting the selection item of thedesired tag frame displayed in the “home” (corresponding to a selectionmenu) as described with reference to FIG. 6.

The main CPU 31 first loads the tag frame information of the tag framespecified by the user to be executed from the flash memory 33 into themain memory 34 (step S501). This tag frame information is formed asshown in FIG. 19 by the process described with reference to FIG. 20.

The main CPU 31 then identifies a first keyword, and searches forphotograph data having the same keyword as the identified keyword (stepS502). Specifically, the main CPU 31 first identifies the first keywordaccording to the keyword selecting method of the tag frame informationloaded in step S501. Then, on the basis of the identified keyword, themain CPU 31 searches for photograph data having the same keyword from afolder or the like specified by an access destination in the tag frameinformation.

The main CPU 31 thereafter starts a process of loading an amount ofphotograph data for display on one screen among the pieces of photographdata found in step S502 and having the same keyword as the identifiedkeyword from the folder or the like as the access destination into themain memory 34 (step S503).

The main CPU 31 then determines whether the loading of the photographdata of the photographs to be displayed in each frame is completed (stepS504). When it is determined in the determination process of step S504that the load is not completed yet, the main CPU 31 determines whetherthe load has failed (step S505).

The determination process of step S505 determines whether the photographdata is obtained normally without response from the access destinationbeing absent or without the photograph data being unable to be read, forexample.

When determining in the determination process of step S505 that theloading of the photograph data has failed, the main CPU 31 displays amessage notifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded(step S506), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 21 and FIG.22. Specifically, in step S506, the main CPU 31 forms a messagenotifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded, anddisplays the message on the display screen 14G of the LCD 14 bycontrolling the LCD control circuit 44 and the like. The main CPU 31thereafter ends the process represented in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22.

When determining in the determination process of step S505 that theloading of the photograph data has not failed, the main CPU 31 displaysa message notifying the user that the photograph data is being loaded(step S507), and then repeats the process from step S504. That is, instep S507, the main CPU 31 forms a message notifying the user that thephotograph data is being loaded, and displays the message on the displayscreen 14G of the LCD 14 by controlling the LCD control circuit 44 andthe like. The main CPU 31 thereafter repeats the process from step S504.

When determining in the determination process of step S504 that the loadis completed, the main CPU 31 performs a process of displaying thephotographs based on the loaded photograph data in each frame formed bydividing the display screen according to the tag frame information (stepS508).

The process of step S508 divides the display screen 14G into a specifiednumber of frames (divided display areas) on the basis of the tag frameinformation, and forms, in the main memory 34, a display image fordisplaying the photographs according to the photograph data loaded intothe main memory 34 in the respective frames. The main CPU 31 thensupplies the formed display image to the LCD 14 through the LCD controlsection 44 to display the display image on the display screen 14G of theLCD 14.

The main CPU 31 thereafter performs a process of loading the photographdata of photographs to be displayed next (step S509). As with theprocess of step S503, the process of step S509 starts a process ofloading the photograph data to be displayed next from the photographdata found in step S502 and having the same keyword as the identifiedkeyword into the main memory 34.

The main CPU 31 then waits for an event (step S510). In the process ofstep S510, the passage of the display changing time set in the tag frameinformation or the occurrence of an operation input from the user viathe panel operating section 41 or the remote control 60 is theoccurrence of an event. Incidentally, the passage of the displaychanging time is regarded as the occurrence of an event when a time froma start of display of the photographs being displayed now exceeds theset display changing time.

The main CPU 31 thereafter determines whether an event indicating thatthe process of displaying photographs by the tag frame is to be ended,such as an ending operation by the user or having displayed allphotographs to be displayed, has occurred (step S511).

When determining in the determination process of step S511 that an eventindicating that the process of displaying photographs by the tag frameis to be ended has occurred, the main CPU 31 performs an ending process(step S512). Thereafter the process represented in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22is ended.

Incidentally, the ending process of step S512 includes a process oferasing the various data loaded into the main memory 34 to secure freespace, for example.

When determining in the determination process of step S511 that no eventindicating that the process of displaying photographs by the tag frameis to be ended has occurred, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the processrepresented in FIG. 22. The main CPU 31 then determines whether theloading of the photograph data of the photographs to be displayed ineach frame is completed (step S513).

When it is determined in the determination process of step S513 that theload is not completed yet, the main CPU 31 determines whether the loadhas failed (step S514). The determination process of step S514 is asimilar process to the process of step S505.

When determining in the determination process of step S514 that theloading of the photograph data has failed, the main CPU 31 displays amessage notifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded(step S515), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 21 and FIG.22. The process of step S515 is a similar process to step S506 describedabove.

When determining in the determination process of step S514 that theloading of the photograph data has not failed, the main CPU 31 displaysa message notifying the user that the photograph data is being loaded(step S516), and then repeats the process from step S513. The process ofstep S516 is a similar process to step S507 described above.

When determining in the determination process of step S513 that the loadis completed, the main CPU 31 performs a preparation process fordisplaying the photographs based on the loaded photograph data in eachframe formed by dividing the display screen according to the tag frameinformation (step S517).

The main CPU 31 thereafter makes a change so as to erase the image beingdisplayed by gradually darkening the image and so as to display a newimage prepared in step S517 in place of the erased image (step S518).The main CPU 31 thereafter repeats the process from step S509 in FIG.21.

It is thereby possible to form a plurality of frames by dividing thedisplay screen of the LCD 14 into a plurality of divided display areas,and display photographs based on photograph data having a same keywordin the respective frames. Thereby the user can extract and reproducerelated photographs on the basis of keywords added to the photographdata, and use the related photographs.

Incidentally, the process represented in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 has beendescribed supposing that the display screen is divided into a pluralityof areas, and that photographs based on photograph data having a commonkeyword are displayed in the respective divided display areas. However,the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible tomake a slide show display in which photographs based on photograph datahaving a common keyword are displayed one at a time on one screen, andthe photographs are changed sequentially.

[Second Display Process of Displaying Photographs by Tag Frame]

FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are flowcharts of assistance in explaining thesecond display process of displaying photographs by the tag frame.

As in the case of the first tag frame display process represented inFIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the process represented in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 isperformed mainly by the main CPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU 32 byselecting the selection item of the desired tag frame displayed in the“home” (corresponding to a selection menu) as described with referenceto FIG. 6.

The main CPU 31 first loads the tag frame information of the tag framespecified by the user to be executed from the flash memory 33 into themain memory 34 (step S601). This tag frame information is formed asshown in FIG. 19 by the process described with reference to FIG. 20.

The main CPU 31 then identifies a first keyword, and searches forphotograph data having the same keyword as the identified keyword (stepS602). Specifically, the main CPU 31 first identifies the first keywordaccording to the keyword selecting method of the tag frame informationloaded in step S601. Then, on the basis of the identified keyword, themain CPU 31 searches for photograph data having the same keyword from afolder specified by an access destination in the tag frame information.

The main CPU 31 thereafter starts a process of loading an amount ofphotograph data for display on one screen among the pieces of photographdata found in step S602 and having the same keyword as the identifiedkeyword from the folder as the access destination into the main memory34 (step S603).

The main CPU 31 then stores keyword information added to the photographdata loaded from the folder as the access destination into the mainmemory 34 in a predetermined area (keyword storing area) of the mainmemory 34, for example (step S604).

The main CPU 31 thereafter determines whether the loading of thephotograph data of the photographs to be displayed in each frame iscompleted (step S605). When it is determined in the determinationprocess of step S605 that the load is not completed yet, the main CPU 31determines whether the load has failed (step S606).

The determination process of step S606 determines whether the photographdata is obtained normally without response from the access destinationbeing absent or without the photograph data being unable to be read, forexample.

When determining in the determination process of step S606 that theloading of the photograph data has failed, the main CPU 31 displays amessage notifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded(step S607), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 23 and FIG.24. Specifically, in step S607, the main CPU 31 forms a messagenotifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded, anddisplays the message on the display screen 14G of the LCD 14 bycontrolling the LCD control circuit 44 and the like. The main CPU 31thereafter ends the process represented in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24.

When determining in the determination process of step S606 that theloading of the photograph data has not failed, the main CPU 31 displaysa message notifying the user that the photograph data is being loaded(step S608), and then repeats the process from step S604. That is, instep S608, the main CPU 31 forms a message notifying the user that thephotograph data is being loaded, and displays the message on the displayscreen 14G of the LCD 14 by controlling the LCD control circuit 44 andthe like. The main CPU 31 thereafter repeats the process from step S604.

When determining in the determination process of step S605 that the loadis completed, the main CPU 31 performs a process of displaying thephotographs based on the loaded photograph data in each frame formed bydividing the display screen according to the tag frame information (stepS609).

The process of step S609 divides the display screen 14G into a specifiednumber of frames (divided display areas) on the basis of the tag frameinformation, and forms, in the main memory 34, a display image fordisplaying the photographs according to the photograph data loaded intothe main memory 34 in the respective frames. The main CPU 31 thensupplies the formed display image to the LCD 14 through the LCD controlsection 44 to display the display image on the display screen 14G of theLCD 14.

The main CPU 31 thereafter performs a process of loading the photographdata of photographs to be displayed next (step S610). As with theprocess of step S603, the process of step S610 starts a process ofloading the photograph data to be displayed next from the photographdata found in step S602 and having the same keyword as the identifiedkeyword into the main memory 34.

The main CPU 31 then waits for an event (step S611). In the process ofstep S611, the passage of the display changing time set in the tag frameinformation or the occurrence of an operation input from the user viathe panel operating section 41 or the remote control 60 is theoccurrence of an event. Incidentally, the passage of the displaychanging time is regarded as the occurrence of an event when a time froma start of display of the photographs being displayed now exceeds theset display changing time.

Thereafter proceeding to the process represented in FIG. 24, the mainCPU 31 determines whether an event indicating that the process ofdisplaying photographs by the tag frame is to be ended, such as anending operation by the user or having displayed all photographs to bedisplayed, has occurred (step S612).

When determining in the determination process of step S612 that an eventindicating that the process of displaying photographs by the tag frameis to be ended has occurred, the main CPU 31 performs an ending process(step S613). Thereafter the process represented in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24is ended.

Incidentally, the ending process of step S613 includes a process oferasing the various data loaded into the main memory 34 to secure freespace, for example.

When determining in the determination process of step S612 that no eventindicating that the process of displaying photographs by the tag frameis to be ended has occurred, the main CPU 31 stores keyword informationadded to the photograph data newly loaded into the main memory 34 (stepS614).

The process of step S614 is similar to the process of step S604 shown inFIG. 23. Specifically, in step S614, the main CPU 31 stores keywordinformation added to the photograph data newly loaded into the mainmemory 34 by the loading process started in step S610 in FIG. 23 in apredetermined area (keyword storing area) of the main memory 34, forexample.

The main CPU 31 then determines whether the loading of the photographdata of the photographs to be displayed in each frame is completed (stepS615).

When it is determined in the determination process of step S615 that theload is not completed yet, the main CPU 31 determines whether the loadhas failed (step S616). The determination process of step S616 is asimilar process to the process of step S606.

When determining in the determination process of step S616 that theloading of the photograph data has failed, the main CPU 31 displays amessage notifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded(step S617), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 23 and FIG.24. The process of step S617 is a similar process to step S607 describedabove.

When determining in the determination process of step S616 that theloading of the photograph data has not failed, the main CPU 31 displaysa message notifying the user that the photograph data is being loaded(step S618), and then repeats the process from step S614. The process ofstep S618 is a similar process to step S608 described above.

When determining in the determination process of step S615 that the loadis completed, the main CPU 31 performs a preparation process fordisplaying the photographs based on the loaded photograph data in eachframe formed by dividing the display screen according to the tag frameinformation (step S619).

The main CPU 31 thereafter makes a change so as to erase the image beingdisplayed by gradually darkening the image and so as to display a newimage prepared in step S619 in place of the erased image (step S620).

The main CPU 31 then determines whether all of the photograph data foundin the process of step S602 shown in FIG. 23 and having the same keywordas the identified keyword added thereto has been displayed (step S621).

When determining in the determination process of step S621 that not allof the photograph data found in the process of step S602 shown in FIG.23 and having the same keyword as the identified keyword added theretohas been displayed, the main CPU 31 repeats the process from step S610shown in FIG. 23 to display photographs based on new photograph data.

When determining in the determination process of step S621 that all ofthe photograph data found in the process of step S602 has beendisplayed, the main CPU 31 selects new keyword information from thestored keyword information of the photograph data (step S622).

Specifically, in step S622, the main CPU 31 selects keyword informationto be set as a next keyword other than the previously selected keywordfrom the keyword information stored in the keyword storing area of themain memory 34, for example, by the processes of step S604 and stepS614.

In the keyword selection in step S622, the new keyword is selectedaccording to a predetermined method, such as, for example, selecting akeyword with a high frequency of occurrence or randomly selecting akeyword.

After the process of step S622, the main CPU 31 repeats the process fromstep S602 shown in FIG. 23 to display photographs based on photographdata having the new keyword.

It is thereby possible to form a plurality of frames by dividing thedisplay screen of the LCD 14 into a plurality of divided display areas,and display photographs based on photograph data having a same keywordin the respective frames.

In addition, the second display process represented in FIG. 23 and FIG.24 can display photographs based on all photograph data having anidentified keyword, thereafter identify a new keyword, and displayphotographs based on photograph data having the identified keyword. Thatis, it is possible to have a configuration capable of identifying a newkeyword, extract photograph data for each keyword, and displayphotographs of the photograph data.

Incidentally, the process represented in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 has beendescribed supposing that the display screen is divided into a pluralityof areas, and that photographs based on photograph data having a commonkeyword are displayed in the respective divided display areas. However,the present invention is not limited to this. As in the first displayprocess of displaying photographs by the tag frame as described above,it is also possible to make a slide show display in which photographsbased on photograph data having a common keyword are displayed one at atime on one screen, and the photographs are changed sequentially.

[Another Display Mode of Tag Frame]

In the first display process and the second display process ofdisplaying photographs by the tag frame as described above, all of alarge number of pieces of photograph data having an identified keywordare displayed as display objects. However, it is also possible to changethe keyword for each screen.

Description in the following will be made of a case of changing thekeyword for each screen. Also in this example, it is possible to dividethe display screen into a plurality of frames (divided display areas),and display a plurality of photographs within one screen. However, inorder to simplify description, a case of displaying one photographwithin one screen will be described first.

FIGS. 25A, 25B, 25C, and 25D are diagrams of assistance in explaining atag frame when photographs are displayed on the basis of photograph dataextracted with a keyword changed for each screen.

As with the references shown in FIGS. 18A to 18D, each of referencesFL1, FL2, FL3, and FL4 in FIGS. 25A to 25D denotes photograph data(photograph data file) recorded in a predetermined memory. Each piece ofphotograph data is roughly composed of a header part and a still imagedata part.

As shown in FIGS. 25A to 25D, the header part has metadata addedthereto, the metadata including a file name, additional information suchas photographing condition information including a photographing dateand time, focus, shutter speed and the like, and keyword information.Each of the file name, the additional data, and the keywords is similarto that described with reference to FIGS. 18A to 18D.

In this example, a keyword to be used first is identified, andphotograph data having the identified keyword is extracted anddisplayed. For example, suppose that “Hawaii” is identified as thekeyword to be used first. In this case, as shown in FIG. 25A, photographdata FL1 having the word “Hawaii” as a keyword is extracted anddisplayed.

Then, of the keywords of the photograph data FL1, a keyword other than“Hawaii” is identified as a keyword to be used next. In this example, asshown in FIG. 25A, a word “ocean” is identified as the next keyword.Then, photograph data FL2 having the word “ocean” as a keyword isextracted and displayed.

Next, of the keywords of the photograph data FL2, a keyword other than“ocean” is identified as a keyword to be used next. In this example, asshown in FIG. 25B, a word “hotel” is identified as the next keyword.Then, photograph data FL3 having the word “hotel” as a keyword isextracted and displayed.

Then, of the keywords of the photograph data FL3, a keyword other than“hotel” is identified as a keyword to be used next. In this example, asshown in FIG. 25C, a word “Okinawa” is identified as the next keyword.Then, photograph data FL4 having the word “Okinawa” as a keyword isextracted and displayed.

Thus, in this example, photograph data used for display is extracted anda photograph based on the extracted photograph data is displayed whilethe keyword used for each screen is changed.

Incidentally, a case of displaying one photograph on one screen has beendescribed with reference to FIGS. 25A to 25D. However, it is of coursepossible to display a plurality of photographs on one screen. In thiscase, it suffices to read an amount of photograph data having a samekeyword as an identified keyword which amount corresponds to the numberof photographs to be displayed on one screen.

Also in this example, tag frame information as shown in FIG. 19 iscreated in advance by the process represented in FIG. 20. Then, byperforming a process to be described in the following using the tagframe information formed as shown in FIG. 19, photograph datacorresponding to a keyword can be extracted and displayed while thekeyword is changed for each screen.

[Another Example of Process of Displaying Photographs by Tag Frame]

FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 are flowcharts of assistance in explaining a processof extracting and displaying photograph data while changing a keywordused for each screen, as another example of a process of displayingphotographs by the tag frame.

As in the case of the first display process and the second displayprocess described above, the process represented in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27is performed mainly by the main CPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU 32 byselecting the selection item of the desired tag frame displayed in the“home” (corresponding to a selection menu) as described with referenceto FIG. 6.

The main CPU 31 first loads the tag frame information of the tag framespecified by the user to be executed from the flash memory 33 into themain memory 34 (step S701). This tag frame information is formed asshown in FIG. 19 by the process described with reference to FIG. 20.

The main CPU 31 then identifies a first keyword, and searches forphotograph data having the same keyword as the identified keyword (stepS702). Specifically, the main CPU 31 first identifies the first keywordaccording to the keyword selecting method of the tag frame informationloaded in step S701. Then, on the basis of the identified keyword, themain CPU 31 searches for photograph data having the same keyword from afolder specified by an access destination in the tag frame information.

The main CPU 31 thereafter starts a process of loading an amount ofphotograph data for display on one screen among the pieces of photographdata found in step S702 and having the same keyword as the identifiedkeyword from the folder or the like as the access destination into themain memory 34 (step S703).

The main CPU 31 then determines whether the loading of the photographdata of the photographs to be displayed in each frame is completed (stepS704). When it is determined in the determination process of step S704that the load is not completed yet, the main CPU 31 determines whetherthe load has failed (step S705).

The determination process of step S705 determines whether the photographdata is obtained normally without response from the access destinationbeing absent or without the photograph data being unable to be read, forexample.

When determining in the determination process of step S705 that theloading of the photograph data has failed, the main CPU 31 displays amessage notifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded(step S706), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 26 and FIG.27. Specifically, in step S706, the main CPU 31 forms a messagenotifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded, anddisplays the message on the display screen 14G of the LCD 14 bycontrolling the LCD control circuit 44 and the like. The main CPU 31thereafter ends the process represented in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27.

When determining in the determination process of step S705 that theloading of the photograph data has not failed, the main CPU 31 displaysa message notifying the user that the photograph data is being loaded(step S707), and then repeats the process from step S704. That is, instep S707, the main CPU 31 forms a message notifying the user that thephotograph data is being loaded, and displays the message on the displayscreen 14G of the LCD 14 by controlling the LCD control circuit 44 andthe like. The main CPU 31 thereafter repeats the process from step S704.

When determining in the determination process of step S704 that the loadis completed, the main CPU 31 performs a process of displaying thephotographs based on the loaded photograph data in each frame formed bydividing the display screen according to the tag frame information (stepS708).

The process of step S708 divides the display screen 14G into a specifiednumber of frames (divided display areas) on the basis of the tag frameinformation, and forms, in the main memory 34, a display image fordisplaying the photographs according to the photograph data loaded intothe main memory 34 in the respective frames. The main CPU 31 thensupplies the formed display image to the LCD 14 through the LCD controlsection 44 to display the display image on the display screen 14G of theLCD 14.

The main CPU 31 thereafter selects a new keyword to be used next fromkeywords added to the photograph data of the displayed photographs (stepS709). The process of step S709 selects a keyword different from thekeyword used this time.

Specifically, in step S709, a new keyword is selected by a predeterminedmethod, such as randomly selecting a keyword or selecting a duplicatekeyword other than the keyword used this time when a plurality of piecesof photograph data are display objects.

The main CPU 31 then searches for photograph data having the samekeyword as the keyword newly selected in step S709 (step S710).Specifically, on the basis of the selected new keyword, the main CPU 31searches for photograph data having the same keyword from the folderspecified as access destination in the tag frame information.

The main CPU 31 thereafter starts a process of loading photograph datafor display on one screen among pieces of photograph data found in stepS710 and having the same keyword as the selected new keyword from thefolder or the like as the access destination into the main memory 34(step S711).

Then, proceeding to the process represented in FIG. 27, the main CPU 31waits for an event (step S712). In the process of step S712, the passageof the display changing time set in the tag frame information or theoccurrence of an operation input from the user via the panel operatingsection 41 or the remote control 60 is the occurrence of an event.Incidentally, the passage of the display changing time is regarded asthe occurrence of an event when a time from a start of display of thephotographs being displayed now exceeds the set display changing time.

The main CPU 31 thereafter determines whether an event indicating thatthe process of displaying photographs by the tag frame is to be ended,such as an ending operation performed by the user, has occurred (stepS713).

When determining in the determination process of step S713 that an eventindicating that the process of displaying photographs by the tag frameis to be ended has occurred, the main CPU 31 performs an ending process(step S714). Thereafter the process represented in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27is ended.

Incidentally, the ending process of step S714 includes a process oferasing the various data loaded into the main memory 34 to secure freespace, for example.

When determining in the determination process of step S713 that no eventindicating that the process of displaying photographs by the tag frameis to be ended has occurred, the main CPU 31 determines whether theloading of the photograph data of the photographs to be displayed ineach frame is completed (step S715).

When it is determined in the determination process of step S715 that theload is not completed yet, the main CPU 31 determines whether the loadhas failed (step S716). The determination process of step S716 is asimilar process to the process of step S705.

When determining in the determination process of step S716 that theloading of the photograph data has failed, the main CPU 31 displays amessage notifying the user that the photograph data cannot be loaded(step S717), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 26 and FIG.27. The process of step S717 is a similar process to step S706 describedabove.

When determining in the determination process of step S716 that theloading of the photograph data has not failed, the main CPU 31 displaysa message notifying the user that the photograph data is being loaded(step S718), and then repeats the process from step S715. The process ofstep S718 is a similar process to step S707 described above.

When determining in the determination process of step S715 that the loadis completed, the main CPU 31 performs a preparation process fordisplaying the photographs based on the loaded photograph data in eachframe formed by dividing the display screen according to the tag frameinformation (step S719).

The main CPU 31 thereafter makes a change so as to erase the image beingdisplayed by gradually darkening the image and so as to display a newimage prepared in step S719 in place of the erased image (step S720).The main CPU 31 thereafter repeats the process from step S709 in FIG.26.

It is thereby possible to change a keyword for each screen, extractphotograph data according to the keyword, and display a photographaccording to the photograph data.

Incidentally, while description has been made of a case where a matchingkeyword is used in the “tag frame” described with reference to FIGS. 18Ato 27, a similar keyword can be searched for. A synonym dictionary isformed in this case. For example, groups of related keywords, such as agroup of summer, ocean, Hawaii, Guam, and surfing and a group of winter,snow, skis, skates, and Alaska, are registered in advance.

When a keyword is identified, a keyword from a group that the identifiedkeyword belongs to rather than a keyword matching the identified keywordis identified, whereby a connection of similar keywords can be formed.Thus, when a new keyword is identified, the function of the tag frame bya similar keyword can be realized as described above.

In addition, while information related to an image is not displayed whenthe image is displayed by the function of the tag frame in theabove-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, a used keyword may of course be displayed togetherwith the displayed image.

In this case, it suffices to supply information for displaying the usedkeyword to the LCD 14 via the LCD control circuit 44 by a function ofthe main CPU 31. Various other information can be displayed as required.

[Others]

Incidentally, the foregoing embodiment has been described by taking asan example a case where displayed content data is photograph data (stillimage data). However, the present invention is not limited to this.Different moving images may be displayed in each frame formed bydividing the display screen. Because the individual moving images alsohave different reproduction times in many cases, it is possible todisplay the moving images while changing moving image data beingreproduced at fixed intervals such as one minute from a start or twominutes from the start, for example.

The present invention is thus applicable not only to cases of displayingstill images but also to cases of displaying moving image data.Incidentally, still image data includes various graphics data withoutmotion. Moving image data includes graphics data with motion such asanimation data.

In addition, the foregoing embodiment has been described supposing thatthe display screen is divided into a plurality of display areas and thatdifferent images are displayed in the respective display areas. However,the display areas do not necessarily need to be defined clearly. Forexample, each image may be displayed in larger size than the set displayareas, and images overlapping and adjacent to each other may be blurredaround boundaries.

Thus, even when one screen is divided into a plurality of display areas,it is possible to display the boundary parts of the display areasobscurely, and display the display areas as one image (dissolvedisplay).

In addition, while the foregoing embodiment has been described by takingas an example a case where the present invention is applied to an imagedisplay device, the present invention is not limited to this. Forexample, the present invention is also applicable to reproducing devicesand recording and reproducing devices capable of reproducing still imagedata, moving image data and the like as well as information processingdevices such as personal computers.

[Memory Frame]

The image display device 10 realizes a function of “memory frame” as oneof new functions using the new concept of “frame” described above. Anoutline of the function of the “memory frame” is as follows.

The “memory frame” rearranges a large number of pieces of still imagedata (photograph data) stored at a predetermined access destination,directing attention to only the month and day of a photographing year,month, and day added to each of the pieces of still image data. Then,the “memory frame” sets the month and day of a reproduction day as areference month and day (reference day), extracts still image datawithin a predetermined period of the reference month and day as stillimage data to be reproduced from the rearranged still image data, andsequentially reproduces the still image data to be reproduced in apredetermined display mode.

Thus, the “memory frame” function is realized by associating roughly twopieces of information, that is, (1) an access destination (a folder, amedium or the like) and (2) a display mode (the number N of displayphotographs within one screen, a display changing time t, and aperformance time range T) with each other and registering (setting) thetwo pieces of information.

As described above, still image data extracted and displayed by the“memory frame” function is extracted with attention directed to only themonth and day of the photographing year, month, and day. Therefore thestill image data displayed by the “memory frame” function includes thefollowing data.

First, the still image data includes still image data obtained byphotographing performed around the reference day (reference month andday) of a year to which the reference day belongs. Second, the stillimage data includes still image data obtained by photographing performedaround the reference day (reference month and day) of preceding years.

In this case, a period around the reference day of preceding years meansa period around the same month and the same day as the reference day,which is the reproduction day, in the preceding years. Incidentally, aperiod around the reference day is determined in advance, such as threedays from the reference day or one week from the reference day, forexample.

[Concrete Example of Data Extraction in “Memory Frame” Function]

FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are diagrams of assistance in explaining a concreteexample of still image data extracted as still image data to bereproduced in the “memory frame” function.

As shown in FIG. 28, suppose that a present date is Feb. 22, 2008, andthat photograph data (still image data obtained by photographing) havingphotographing years, months, and days from Mar. 15, 2005 to the presentdate is stored at a predetermined access destination (for example, aninternal memory or an external memory).

Thus, there is photograph data for a total period of about three years.In addition, directing attention to years, there is photograph data overfour years, that is, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

There is photograph data from March 15 to December 31 for the year 2005.For the year 2006, there is photograph data from January 1 to December31, and there is photograph data for two days of February 3 and February27 as photograph data for February.

For the year 2007, there is photograph data from January 1 to December25, and there is photograph data for two days of February 6 and February23 as photograph data for February. For the year 2008, there isphotograph data from January 1 to February 22, and there is photographdata for two days of February 1 and February 22 as photograph data forFebruary.

Consideration will be given to a case where when there is photographdata in a predetermined memory as shown in FIG. 28, photograph data(still image data) is displayed by the “memory frame” function with Feb.22, 2008, which is a present date, as the reproduction day. In thisexample, suppose that photograph data having photographing months anddays in a period of one week from the same month and the same day as thereproduction date in each year will be extracted.

FIG. 29 is a diagram of assistance in explaining a case of extractingphotograph data with Feb. 22, 2008 as the reproduction day from thephotograph data existing as shown in FIG. 28. In this example, February22 of each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 is set as areference, and photograph data taken during the period of one week fromFebruary 22 is extracted.

More specifically, because February 22 is the reference day, the periodof one week from February 22 is a period from February 22 to February28. As shown in FIG. 28, there is no photograph data taken in Februaryof 2005.

The photograph data taken in February of 2006 includes photograph datataken on Feb. 27, 2006 as photograph data taken within one week ofFebruary 22. The photograph data taken in February of 2007 includesphotograph data taken on Feb. 25, 2007 as photograph data taken withinone week of February 22.

The photograph data taken in February of 2008 includes photograph datataken on Feb. 22, 2008 as photograph data taken within one week ofFebruary 22. Thus, photograph data taken on Feb. 27, 2006, Feb. 23,2007, and Feb. 22, 2008 as enclosed in a vertical frame in FIG. 29 isextracted as photograph data to be displayed by the function of the“memory frame.”

Thereby photograph data (still image data) obtained by photographing inthe same period of each of this year (2008), last year (2007), and theyear before last (2006) is extracted. Then, still images based on theextracted photograph data are reproduced and displayed in apredetermined display mode (output mode). Incidentally, there may be onepiece of photograph data or a plurality of pieces of photograph data asphotograph data taken on the same day of each year.

[“Memory Frame” Registering (Setting) Process]

A “memory frame” registering process performed in the image displaydevice 10 according to the present embodiment will next be described. Inthe image display device 10 according to the present embodiment, whenstill image data is to be displayed using the “memory frame” function, a“memory frame” registering process (“memory frame” creating process),which registers an access destination and a display mode in advance,needs to be performed.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining the “memory frame”registering process. The process represented in FIG. 30 is performedwhen the user selects an item “CREATE NEW FRAME” via the panel operatingsection 41 from a menu displayed on the display screen of the LCD 14 andhaving performable functions as selection items. The process representedin FIG. 30 is performed mainly by the main CPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU32.

First, the main CPU 31 controls the LCD control circuit 44 to display aframe creating screen on the display screen 14G of the LCD 14, andreceives a selection input of an access destination via the paneloperating section 41 and the auxiliary CPU 32 (step S2101). In theprocess of step S2101, for example, a list of selectable folders, mediaand the like is displayed, and a desired access destination can beselected from the list.

The main CPU 31 next receives a selection input of the number N ofdisplay photographs of one screen (number of display images to bedisplayed on one screen) via the panel operating section 41 and theauxiliary CPU 32 (step S2102). The process of step S2102 receives aselection input of a desired number, which is the number of still imagesto be displayed within one screen, and is one (FIG. 4A), two (FIG. 4B),three (FIG. 4C), or four (FIG. 4D) as described with reference to FIGS.4A to 4D.

The main CPU 31 then receives a selection input of a display changingtime t via the panel operating section 41 and the auxiliary CPU 32 (stepS2103). The display changing time t indicates the display time of animage displayed on the display screen 14G of the LCD 14. Specifically,the display changing time t can be selected from “15 seconds,” “1minute,” “10 minutes,” “30 minutes,” “1 hour,” “4 hours,” “do notchange” and the like.

The main CPU 31 then receives a selection input of a performance timerange T via the panel operating section 41 and the auxiliary CPU 32(step S2104). The performance time range T is a time range during whichthe image display device 10 according to the present embodimentcontinuously performs a process of displaying still image data by thefunction of the “memory frame.” Specifically, the performance time rangeT can be selected in hours, such as 8 hours, 12 hours, and 16 hours. Ofcourse, the performance time range T can also be set in minutes, such as8 hours and 30 minutes, for example.

The main CPU 31 thereafter receives a confirmation input via the paneloperating section 41 and the auxiliary CPU 32 (step S2105). The main CPU31 then determines whether the confirmation input received in step S2105indicates that the selection inputs of the various information arecorrect (whether “OK” is selected) (step S2106).

When the main CPU 31 determines in the determination process of stepS2106 that “Back,” “No” or the like is selected as the confirmationinput received in step S2105 and that the confirmation input received instep S2105 does not indicate that the selection inputs of the variousinformation are correct, the main CPU 31 repeats the process from stepS2101. This allows selection inputs of various information to beperformed again.

When the main CPU 31 determines in the determination process of stepS2106 that the confirmation input received in step S2105 indicates thatthe selection inputs of the various information are correct, the mainCPU 31 performs a process of registering a new “memory frame” (stepS2107). Then the memory frame registering process represented in FIG. 30is ended.

Incidentally, in the process of step S2107, the various informationreceived in steps S2101 to S2104 is associated with each other andregistered in a predetermined memory, and the “memory frame” isregistered so as to be selectable in a menu. Description will be madesupposing that a destination where information related to the “memoryframe” is registered in the image display device 10 according to thepresent embodiment is the flash memory 33.

The image display device 10 according to the present embodiment canregister a plurality of “memory frames” with different accessdestinations and different display modes by repeating the processrepresented in FIG. 30.

Incidentally, for example, the name of the access destination (a foldername, a medium name or the like), arbitrary title information, and thelike can be added to each of the registered “memory frames.” Thereby,even when a plurality of “memory frames” are registered, each of theregistered “memory frames” can be distinguished from the other.

[Processes of Displaying Still Images by “Memory Frame”]

Processes of displaying still images by the “memory frame” whichprocesses are performed in the image display device 10 according to thepresent embodiment will next be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to34. Description in the following will be made of two display processes(a first display process and a second display process) by the “memoryframe.”

Incidentally, one of the first display process and the second displayprocess can be selected according to characteristics, performance or thelike of hardware resources of the image display device 10 on the side ofa manufacturer manufacturing the image display device 10.

[First Display Process of Displaying Still Image by “Memory Frame”]

FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are flowcharts of assistance in explaining a firstdisplay process of displaying an image by the “memory frame.” Theprocess represented in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 is performed when the userselects a desired “memory frame” from a menu displayed on the displayscreen of the LCD 14 and having performable functions as selection itemsvia the panel operating section 41. The process represented in FIG. 31and FIG. 32 is also performed by the main CPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU32.

When the process represented in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 is performed, themain CPU 31 obtains the registered information of the selected “memoryframe” registered in the flash memory 33 (step S2201). The registeredinformation obtained in this step is information registered in theregistering process described with reference to FIG. 30, and includesinformation indicating an access destination, the number N of displayphotographs of one screen, a display changing time t, a performance timerange T, and the like.

The main CPU 31 then calculates the necessary number M of pieces ofstill image data to be displayed by the function of the selected “memoryframe” on the basis of the information obtained in step S2201 (stepS2202).

The process of step S2202 obtains the necessary number M of pieces ofstill image data to be reproduced by Equation (1) shown in thefollowing.

Necessary Number M=Number N of Display Photographs of OneScreen×Performance Time Range T÷Display Changing Time t  (1)

Suppose in this case that the necessary number N of display photographsof one screen is “2,” that the performance time range T is “12 hours(720 minutes),” and that the display changing time t is “30 minutes.” Inthis case, Necessary Number M=2×720 minutes÷30 minutes. Hence, in thiscase, the necessary number M of pieces of photograph data (still imagedata) to be displayed by the function of the “memory frame” is 48.

The main CPU 31 then sorts (rearranges) photograph data (still imagedata) recorded at the access destination associated with the “memoryframe” by photographing month and day, ignoring years of photographingdates of the photograph data and starting with a present month and day(step S2203). This rearrangement is performed in the work area of theflash memory 33, for example. Incidentally, the rearrangement may beperformed using a RAM not shown in the figure which RAM is connected tothe main CPU 31.

Thereby a large number of pieces of photograph data (still image data)stored and retained at the predetermined access destination and havingvarious photographing years, months, and days are rearranged in thepredetermined work area with photographing months and days as arearrangement key (sort key) such that the month and day of today is ata top and the month and day of yesterday is at an end.

Specifically, supposing that the present is February 22, the photographdata is rearranged on the basis of the photographing months and days inorder of 2/22, 2/23, 2/24, . . . 2/19, 2/20, and 2/21. Thus, even when alarge number of pieces of photograph data whose photographing years,months, and days extend over a plurality of years are processed, thephotograph data of the access destination is rearranged on the basis ofonly the photographing months and days as in a case of there being alarge number of pieces of photograph data taken in a single year, as itwere.

The main CPU 31 next sets the present month and day as a starting date(step S2204). Specifically, the main CPU 31 obtains the present monthand day from the clock circuit 40, and sets the present month and day asthe starting date. Incidentally, in this example, the present year,month, and day is Feb. 22, 2008, and therefore February 22 is set as thestarting date.

Similarly, the main CPU 31 sets the present month and day obtained instep S2204 also as an ending date (step S2205). As described above, inthis example, the present year, month, and day is Feb. 22, 2008, andtherefore February 22 is set also as the ending date.

Then, proceeding to the process represented in FIG. 31, the main CPU 31identifies the number of photographs based on photograph data having aphotographing month and day within a period from the starting date tothe ending date, the starting date and the ending date being set in stepS2204 and step S2205, from the photograph data rearranged in step S2203(step S2206).

For example, in the example described with reference to FIG. 28 and FIG.29, when the starting date and the ending date are both February 22,only photograph data taken on Feb. 22, 2008 is counted.

The main CPU 31 then determines whether the number of photographsidentified in step S2206 is equal to or more than the necessary number Mcalculated in step S2202 (step S2207).

When determining in the determination process of step S2207 that thenumber of photographs identified in step S2206 is not equal to or morethan the necessary number M, the main CPU 31 sets the ending date to amonth and day a fixed period later than the ending date (step S2208). Inthis case, the fixed period can be an arbitrary period such as 1 week or10 days, for example. However, the fixed period is basically one of aplurality of periods into which a predetermined period used in stepS2209 to be described later is divided.

The main CPU 31 then determines whether the period from the startingdate to the ending date exceeds a predetermined period (step S2209). Inthis case, the predetermined period serving as a reference for thedetermination in step S2209 is, for example, one month or the like, andis determined in advance.

Whether the period from the starting date to the ending date exceeds thepredetermined period is thus determined in the determination process ofstep S2209 because lengthening the period from the starting date to theending date may impair unity of the photographing period of extractedphotograph data. For example, a sense of the seasons may be impairedwith a photograph of sea bathing and a photograph of autumn leaves mixedwith each other.

Incidentally, the predetermined period used in step S2209 is not limitedto one month, but can be set in units of one week or set as a periodsuch as two months or three months, which is obtained by dividing oneyear into six equal parts, four equal parts, three equal parts or thelike.

When determining in the determination process of step S2209 that theperiod from the starting date to the ending date does not exceed thepredetermined period, the main CPU 31 repeats the process from stepS2206.

When determining in the determination process of step S2209 that theperiod from the starting date to the ending date exceeds thepredetermined period, the main CPU 31 determines whether there isphotograph data for a minimum necessary number of photographs (stepS2210). The determination process of step S2210 determines whether thenumber of displayable photographs based on the photograph data is atleast the number N of display photographs of one screen or more.

When determining in the determination process of step S2210 that thereis no photograph data for forming a minimum necessary number ofphotographs, the main CPU 31 notifies a lack of photographs to bedisplayed (step S2211), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 31and FIG. 32.

Specifically, in step S2211, the main CPU 31 displays a display messagethat displayable photographs are not present on the display screen ofthe LCD 14 via the LCD control circuit 44. Alternatively, the main CPU31 emits the sound of a voice message that displayable photographs arenot present from the speakers 47L and 47R via the audio processingsection 46. Of course, both the display message and the voice messagemay be output.

When determining in the determination process of step S2210 that thereis photograph data for forming a minimum necessary number ofphotographs, the main CPU 31 sequentially displays photographs based onthe photograph data whose photographing months and days fall within thepredetermined period of the starting date (step S2212). Thereafter theprocess represented in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 is ended.

Incidentally, for photographs short of the necessary number M, it ispossible to repeat display beginning with a photograph based on firstphotograph data, or display the photographs in a reverse directionbeginning with a photograph based on photograph data used last. Ofcourse, it is also possible to display the photographs based on thephotograph data usable for display, and end the process by the “memoryframe.”

When determining in the determination process of step S2207 that thenumber of photographs identified in step S2206 is equal to or more thanthe necessary number M, the main CPU 31 sequentially displays thephotographs based on photograph data for the necessary number M whichphotograph data has photographing months and days falling between thestarting date and the ending date (step S2213). Thereafter the processrepresented in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 is ended.

Thus, the “memory frame” can basically display photographs based onphotograph data identified ignoring the years of photographing years,months, and days and directing attention to only the months and days ofthe photographing years, months, and days for the period of theperformance time range T obtained in step S2201.

The first display process of displaying images by the “memory frame”described with reference to FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 can identify photographdata necessary for display while first setting the period from thestarting date to the ending date to a minimum and gradually lengtheningthe period.

[Second Display Process of Displaying Image by “Memory Frame”]

The second display process of displaying an image by the “memory frame”will next be described. This second display process identifiesphotograph data for display according to a minimum number and anappropriate number of photographs to be displayed by the “memory frame.”

FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 are flowcharts of assistance in explaining thesecond display process of displaying an image by the “memory frame.” Theprocess represented in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 is performed in the samemanner as the first display process described above with reference toFIG. 31 and FIG. 32.

Specifically, the process represented in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 isperformed when the user selects a desired “memory frame” from a menudisplayed on the display screen of the LCD 14 and having performablefunctions as selection items via the panel operating section 41. Theprocess represented in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 is also performed by the mainCPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU 32.

Also in the second display process, when the process represented in FIG.33 and FIG. 34 is performed, the main CPU 31 obtains the registeredinformation of the selected “memory frame” registered in the flashmemory 33 (step S2301). The registered information obtained in this stepis information registered in the registering process described withreference to FIG. 30, and includes information indicating an accessdestination, the number N of display photographs of one screen, adisplay changing time t, a performance time range T, and the like.

The main CPU 31 then sets the number N of display photographs of onescreen as a minimum necessary number of photographs (min) (step S2302).In addition, the main CPU 31 calculates a number (necessary number) M ofdisplay photographs necessary for one day on the basis of the number Nof display photographs of one screen, the display changing time t, andthe performance time range T, and sets the necessary number M as anappropriate number of photographs (stb1) (step S2303).

The process of step S2303 calculates the necessary number M according tothe above-described Equation (1) as with the process of step S2202 shownin FIG. 31, and sets the necessary number M as an appropriate number ofphotographs (stb1).

Thus, supposing that the necessary number N of display photographs ofone screen is “2,” that the operation time T is “12 hours (720minutes),” and that the display changing time t is “30 minutes,”Necessary Number M=2×720 minutes÷30 minutes. In this example, the valueof 48 is set as the appropriate number of photographs (stb1).

The main CPU 31 then sorts (rearranges) photograph data (still imagedata) recorded at the access destination associated with the “memoryframe” by photographing month and day, ignoring years of photographingdates of the photograph data and starting with a present month and day(step S2304).

The process of step S2304 is similar to the process of step S2203 shownin FIG. 31. The process of step S2304 rearranges the photograph data asprocessing objects which photograph data has photographing years,months, and days extending over a plurality of years such that the monthand day of today is at a top and the month and day of yesterday is at anend. Specifically, supposing that the present is February 22, thephotograph data is rearranged in order of 2/22, 2/23, 2/24, . . . 2/19,2/20, and 2/21.

Incidentally, the rearrangement in step S2304 is performed in the workarea of the flash memory 33, for example. Incidentally, therearrangement may be performed using a RAM not shown in the figure whichRAM is connected to the main CPU 31.

The main CPU 31 then obtains the photographing month and day of a(min)th piece of photograph data from the photograph data rearranged instep S2304 (step S2305). Specifically, when the minimum number ofphotographs (min) is two, the main CPU 31 obtains the photographingmonth and day of a second piece of photograph data from the top of thephotograph data rearranged in step S2304.

The main CPU 31 determines whether the photographing month and day ofthe photograph data which photographing month and day is obtained instep S2305 is within a predetermined period (step S2306). Thepredetermined period is determined in advance. A present month and daybeing set as a starting date, the predetermined period is a period fromthe starting date to a month and day after the passage of one month fromthe starting date, for example. In this example, when the present monthand day is February 22, a period from February 22 to March 21, which isone month later than February 22, is the predetermined period.

Incidentally, the predetermined period used in step S2306 is not limitedto one month, but can be set in units of one week or set as a periodsuch as two months or three months, which is obtained by dividing oneyear into six equal parts, four equal parts, three equal parts or thelike.

When determining in the determination process of step S2306 that thephotographing month and day of the (min)th piece of photograph data isnot within the predetermined period, the main CPU 31 notifies a lack ofphotograph data of photographs to be displayed (step S2307), and thenends the process represented in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34.

Specifically, in step S2307, the main CPU 31 displays a display messagethat displayable photographs are not present on the display screen ofthe LCD 14 via the LCD control circuit 44. Alternatively, the main CPU31 emits the sound of a voice message that displayable photographs arenot present from the speakers 47L and 47R via the audio processingsection 46. Of course, both the display message and the voice messagemay be output.

When determining in the determination process of step S2306 that thephotographing month and day of the (min)th piece of photograph data iswithin the predetermined period, the main CPU 31 obtains thephotographing month and day of an (stb1)th photograph (step S2308).Specifically, when the appropriate number of photographs (stb1) is 48 asdescribed above, the main CPU 31 obtains the photographing month and dayof a 48th piece of photograph data from the top of the photograph datarearranged in step S2304.

Thereafter proceeding to the process represented in FIG. 34, the mainCPU 31 determines whether the photographing month and day of thephotograph data which photographing month and day is obtained in stepS2308 is within the predetermined period (step S2309). The determinationprocess of step S2309 is similar to the determination process of stepS2306. The determination process of step S2309 determines whether thephotographing month and day of the (stb1)th photograph falls within thepredetermined period.

Incidentally, the predetermined period used in step S2309 is the same asthe predetermined period used in step S2306.

When determining in the determination process of step S2309 that thephotographing month and day of the (stb1)th piece of photograph data isnot within the predetermined period, the main CPU 31 sequentiallydisplays photographs within the predetermined period (step S2310).

Specifically, in step S2310, the present month and day is set as astarting date, usable photograph data having months and days within thepredetermined period of the starting date as photographing months anddays is extracted, and photographs based on the extracted photographdata are sequentially displayed. Then, after the process of step S2310,the process represented in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 is ended.

Incidentally, for photographs short of the necessary number M, it ispossible to repeat display beginning with a photograph based on firstphotograph data, or display the photographs in a reverse directionbeginning with a photograph based on photograph data used last. Ofcourse, it is also possible to display the photographs based on thephotograph data usable for display, and end the process by the “memoryframe.”

When determining in the determination process of step S2309 that thephotographing month and day of the (stb1)th piece of photograph data iswithin the predetermined period, the main CPU 31 sequentially displays(stb1) photographs (step S2311).

Specifically, in step S2311, photographs based on photograph data forthe (stb1) photographs from the top of the photograph data rearranged instep S2304 are displayed sequentially. Then, after the process of stepS2311, the process represented in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 is ended.

Thus, in the second display process of displaying an image by the“memory frame” function described with reference to FIG. 33 and FIG. 34,whether image data necessary for display exists at the accessdestination is checked first. When photograph data for a minimum numberof photographs is not present, photograph display is not made. However,when there is photograph data for a minimum number of photographs ormore, a photograph displaying process is performed according to thephotograph data.

Incidentally, both in the case of the first display process describedwith reference to FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 and in the case of the seconddisplay process described with reference to FIG. 33 and FIG. 34,photographs can be displayed in various orders. For example, photographscan be displayed in order into which the photograph data is rearrangedin step S2203 or step S2304.

It is also possible to extract only photograph data to be displayed,rearrange the extracted photograph data in descending order ofphotographing year, month, and day or photographing month and day or inascending order of photographing year, month, and day or photographingmonth and day, and display the photograph data in that order. Inaddition, photograph data to be displayed can be displayed according toa certain rule, by which the photograph data to be displayed isrearranged in order of the file name of the photograph data and thendisplayed, for example. Further, photograph data to be displayed can bereproduced in random order by using random numbers or the like.

[Photo Clock Frame]

The image display device 10 according to the present embodiment alsorealizes a function of “photo clock frame” as one of new functions usingthe new concept of “frame” described above. An outline of the functionof the “photo clock frame” is simply illustrated as follows.

The “photo clock frame” rearranges a large number of pieces of stillimage data (photograph data) stored at a predetermined accessdestination, directing attention to only the photographing time of aphotographing date and time (a photographing year, month, and day andphotographing time) added to each of the pieces of still image data.Then, the “photo clock frame” sets a reproduction time as a referencetime, extracts still image data within a predetermined period(predetermined time) of the reference time as still image data to bereproduced from the rearranged still image data, and sequentiallyreproduces the still image data to be reproduced.

Thus, in the case of the “photo clock frame,” even when still image datastored at the access destination extends over a plurality of years, thestill image data is rearranged with attention directed to only thephotographing time of the still image data. Therefore, supposing thatthe photographing time is represented in hours and minutes, all thestill image data at the access destination, which still image data mayhave different photographing years, months, and days, is rearrangedbetween 0:00 and 23:59.

In other words, in the case of the “photo clock frame,” all the stillimage data stored at the access destination is rearranged into theperiod of 24 hours from 0 a.m. to 12 p.m. Incidentally, while 0 a.m. and12 p.m. both indicate 12 midnight, 0 a.m. means a starting point of oneday, and 12 p.m. means an ending point of one day.

In the case of the “photo clock frame,” only photograph data close tothe reproduction time is extracted from the still image data rearrangedon the basis of the photographing time, and then displayed. It isthereby possible to automatically display photographs corresponding to areproduction time period, such as displaying photographs of sun rises orthe like in a morning time period and displaying photographs of nightviews or the like in a night time period, for example.

Incidentally, also in the case of the “photo clock frame,” the user canselect a display mode suited to a purpose from the four display modesdescribed with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D. In the case of theabove-described “memory frame,” a calendar function is realized bydisplaying a present month and day and a present day of the week. On theother hand, in the case of the “photo clock frame,” the main CPU 31obtains a present time from the clock circuit 40 and displays thepresent time, whereby a clock function is realized.

In addition, the “photo clock frame” can change the display color ofcharacter information displaying the present time according to a timeperiod. For example, the present time is displayed in blue charactersfrom 5 a.m. to 10:59 a.m. The present time is displayed in yellowcharacters from 11 a.m. to 3:59 p.m. The present time is displayed inred characters from 4 p.m. to 6:59 p.m. The present time is displayed innavy-blue characters from 7 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. Thus, a time period canalso be represented by the display color of the present time.

Thus, the “photo clock frame” extracts photograph data to be displayeddirecting attention to only the photographing time of the photographdata, and displays the photograph data to be displayed. Therebyphotographs taken during the same time period in the past as that of thereproduction time can be displayed.

Incidentally, also in the case of the “photo clock frame,” a process ofregistering the “photo clock frame” is performed as in the case of theprocess of registering the “memory frame” as described with reference toFIG. 30. This process of registering the “photo clock frame” is alsoperformed when the user selects an item “CREATE NEW FRAME” via the paneloperating section 41 from a menu displayed on the display screen of theLCD 14 and having performable functions as selection items.

Also in the case of the “photo clock frame,” information including anaccess destination, the number N of display photographs of one screen, adisplay changing time t, a performance time range T, and the like isregistered. In addition, in the case of the “photo clock frame,” thepresent time is displayed together with a still image, and informationon the display mode of the present time, such as a 12-hourrepresentation or a 24-hour representation, a display color, and digitaldisplay or analog display, can be registered.

[Processes of Displaying Images by “Photo Clock Frame” Function]

Processes of displaying still images when the function of the “photoclock frame” is used in the image display device 10 according to thepresent embodiment will next be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to38. Description in the following will be made of two display processes(a first display process and a second display process) by the “photoclock frame.”

Incidentally, one of the first display process and the second displayprocess can be selected according to characteristics, performance or thelike of hardware resources of the image display device 10 on the side ofa manufacturer manufacturing the image display device 10.

[First Display Process of Displaying Image by “Photo Clock Frame”Function]

FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 are flowcharts of assistance in explaining a firstdisplay process of displaying an image by the “photo clock frame.” Theprocess represented in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 is performed when the userselects a desired “photo clock frame” from a menu displayed on thedisplay screen of the LCD 14 and having performable functions asselection items via the panel operating section 41. The processrepresented in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 is also performed by the main CPU 31and the auxiliary CPU 32.

When the process represented in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 is performed, themain CPU 31 obtains the registered information of the selected “photoclock frame” registered in advance in the flash memory 33 (step S2401).As in the case of the above-described “memory frame,” the registeredinformation obtained in this step is information registered by theregistering process described with reference to FIG. 30. Specifically,the registered information includes information indicating an accessdestination, the number N of display photographs of one screen, adisplay changing time t, a performance time range T, and the like.

The main CPU 31 then calculates the necessary number M of pieces ofstill image data to be displayed by the function of the selected “photoclock frame” on the basis of the information obtained in step S2401(step S2402).

As with the process of step S2202 in the first display process of the“memory frame” which process is represented in FIG. 31, the process ofstep S2402 obtains the necessary number M of pieces of still image datato be reproduced by the above-described Equation (1).

Supposing in this case that the necessary number N of displayphotographs of one screen is “2,” that the performance time range T is“1 hour (60 minutes),” and that the display changing time t is “10minutes,” in this case, Necessary Number M=2×60 minutes÷10 minutes.

Hence, in this case, the necessary number M of pieces of photograph data(still image data) to be displayed per hour as the performance timerange T by the function of the “photo clock frame” is 12.

The main CPU 31 then sorts (rearranges) photograph data (still imagedata) recorded at the access destination associated with the “photoclock frame” by photographing time, ignoring years, months, and days ofphotographing dates of the photograph data and starting with a presenttime (step S2403).

This rearrangement is performed in the work area of the flash memory 33,for example. Incidentally, the rearrangement may be performed using aRAM not shown in the figure which RAM is connected to the main CPU 31.

Thereby a large number of pieces of photograph data (still image data)stored and retained at the predetermined access destination and havingvarious photographing dates and times are rearranged with thephotographing times as a rearrangement key (sort key) such that thepresent time is at a top.

Thus, even when a large number of pieces of photograph data whosephotographing dates and times extend over a plurality of years areprocessed, the photograph data of the access destination is rearrangedon the basis of only the photographing times as in a case of there beinga large number of pieces of photograph data taken on a same day, as itwere.

The main CPU 31 next sets the present time as a starting time (stepS2404). Specifically, the main CPU 31 obtains the present time from theclock circuit 40, and sets the present time as the starting time. Forexample, when the present time is 7:23 a.m., the data of 7:23 a.m. isset as the starting time.

Similarly, the main CPU 31 sets the present time obtained in step S2404also as an ending time (step S2405). That is, the process of step S2405sets the same time as the time set as the starting time in step S2404 asthe ending time.

Then, proceeding to the process represented in FIG. 36, the main CPU 31identifies the number of photographs based on photograph data having aphotographing time within a period from the starting time to the endingtime, the starting time and the ending time being set in step S2404 andstep S2405, from the photograph data rearranged in step S2403 (stepS2406).

Thus, when the data of 7:23 a.m. is set as the starting time and theending time as described above, the number of pieces of photograph datahaving a time from 7:23 a.m. to 7:23 a.m. as photographing time iscounted and identified.

The main CPU 31 then determines whether the number of photographsidentified in step S2406 is equal to or more than the necessary number Mcalculated in step S2402 (step S2407).

When determining in the determination process of step S2407 that thenumber of photographs identified in step S2406 is not equal to or morethan the necessary number M, the main CPU 31 sets the ending time to atime after a fixed period (step S2408). In this case, the fixed periodcan be an arbitrary period such as 10 minutes or 20 minutes, forexample. However, the fixed period is basically one of a plurality oftime ranges into which a predetermined period used in step S2409 to bedescribed later is divided.

The main CPU 31 then determines whether the period from the startingtime to the ending time exceeds a predetermined period determined inadvance (step S2409). In this case, the predetermined period serving asa reference for the determination in step S2409 is the same time rangeas the performance time range T, which is a time range during whichphotographs are displayed by the “photo clock frame.” Therefore, whenthe performance time range T is, for example, 1 hour as described above,the predetermined period serving as a reference for the determination instep S2409 is also 1 hour (60 minutes).

Whether the period from the starting time to the ending time exceeds thepredetermined period is thus determined in the determination process ofstep S2409 because lengthening the period from the starting time to theending time may result in photograph data of different time periodsbeing typically extracted. For example, a sense of unity due to the timeperiod may be impaired with a photograph of morning and a photograph ofnoon mixed with each other.

When determining in the determination process of step S2409 that theperiod from the starting time to the ending time does not exceed thepredetermined period, the main CPU 31 repeats the process from stepS2406.

When determining in the determination process of step S2409 that theperiod from the starting time to the ending time exceeds thepredetermined period, the main CPU 31 determines whether there isphotograph data for a minimum necessary number of photographs (stepS2410). The determination process of step S2410 determines whether thenumber of displayable photographs based on the photograph data is atleast the number N of display photographs of one screen or more.

When determining in the determination process of step S2410 that thereis no photograph data for forming a minimum necessary number ofphotographs, the main CPU 31 notifies a lack of photographs to bedisplayed (step S2411), and then ends the process represented in FIG. 35and FIG. 36.

Specifically, in step S2411, the main CPU 31 displays a display messagethat displayable photographs are not present on the display screen ofthe LCD 14 via the LCD control circuit 44. Alternatively, the main CPU31 emits the sound of a voice message that displayable photographs arenot present from the speakers 47L and 47R via the audio processingsection 46. Of course, both the display message and the voice messagemay be output.

When determining in the determination process of step S2410 that thereis photograph data for forming a minimum necessary number ofphotographs, the main CPU 31 sequentially displays photographs based onthe photograph data whose photographing times fall within thepredetermined period of the starting time (step S2412). Thereafter theprocess represented in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 is ended.

When determining in the determination process of step S2407 that thenumber of photographs identified in step S2406 is equal to or more thanthe necessary number M, the main CPU 31 sequentially displays thephotographs based on photograph data for the necessary number M whichphotograph data has photographing times falling between the startingtime and the ending time (step S2413). Thereafter the processrepresented in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 is ended.

Thus, the “photo clock frame” can basically display photographs based onphotograph data identified ignoring the years, months, and days ofphotographing dates and times and directing attention to only thephotographing times of the photographing dates and times for the periodof the performance time range T obtained in step S2401.

After displaying photographs for the performance time range T accordingto the process represented in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, the image displaydevice 10 according to the present embodiment performs the process ofFIG. 35 and FIG. 36 again for a next new performance time range (a nextperiod of one hour in the above-described example), and performs aphotograph data displaying process according to the function of the same“photo clock frame” for a new time period.

Thus, in the case of the “photo clock frame,” after the process ofdisplaying photographs based on photograph data for the set performancetime range T is ended, a process of displaying photographs based onsimilar photograph data is performed in a new time period (next timeperiod of the performance time range T).

In the case of the “photo clock frame,” a total performance time periodcan also be set to display photographs by the function of the “photoclock frame” from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., for example. In addition,photographs can be displayed continuously for 24 hours by the functionof the “photo clock frame.”

Thus, the first display process of displaying images by the “photo clockframe” described with reference to FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 can identifyphotograph data necessary for display while first setting the periodfrom the starting time to the ending time to a minimum and graduallylengthening the period.

[Second Display Process of Displaying Image by “Photo Clock Frame”]

The second display process of displaying an image by the “photo clockframe” will next be described. This second display process identifiesphotograph data for display according to a minimum number and anappropriate number of photographs to be displayed by the “photo clockframe.”

FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 are flowcharts of assistance in explaining thesecond display process of displaying an image by the “photo clockframe.” The process represented in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 is performed inthe same manner as the first display process described above withreference to FIG. 35 and FIG. 36.

Specifically, the process represented in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 isperformed when the user selects a desired “photo clock frame” from amenu displayed on the display screen of the LCD 14 and havingperformable functions as selection items via the panel operating section41. The process represented in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 is also performed bythe main CPU 31 and the auxiliary CPU 32.

Also in the second display process, when the process represented in FIG.37 and FIG. 38 is performed, the main CPU 31 obtains the registeredinformation of the selected “photo clock frame” registered in the flashmemory 33 (step S2501). As in the case of the above-described “memoryframe,” the registered information obtained in this step is informationregistered by the registering process described with reference to FIG.30, for example, and includes information indicating an accessdestination, the number N of display photographs of one screen, adisplay changing time t, a performance time range T, and the like.

The main CPU 31 then sets the number N of display photographs of onescreen as a minimum necessary number of photographs (min) (step S2502).In addition, the main CPU 31 calculates a number (necessary number) M ofdisplay photographs necessary for one day on the basis of the number Nof display photographs of one screen, the display changing time t, andthe performance time range T, and sets the necessary number M as anappropriate number of photographs (stb1) (step S2503).

The process of step S2503 calculates the necessary number M according tothe above-described Equation (1) as with the process of step S2402 shownin FIG. 35, and sets the necessary number M as an appropriate number ofphotographs (stb1).

Thus, supposing that the necessary number N of display photographs ofone screen is “2,” that the operation time T is “1 hour (60 minutes),”and that the display changing time t is “10 minutes,” Necessary NumberM=2×60 minutes÷10 minutes. In this example, the value of 12 is set asthe appropriate number of photographs (stb1).

The main CPU 31 then sorts (rearranges) photograph data (still imagedata) recorded at the access destination associated with the “photoclock frame” by photographing time, ignoring years, months, and days ofphotographing dates and times of the photograph data and starting with apresent time (step S2504).

This rearrangement is performed in the work area of the flash memory 33,for example. Incidentally, the rearrangement may be performed using aRAM not shown in the figure which RAM is connected to the main CPU 31.

Thereby a large number of pieces of photograph data (still image data)stored and retained at the predetermined access destination and havingvarious photographing dates and times are rearranged with thephotographing times as a rearrangement key (sort key) such that thepresent time is at a top.

Thus, even when a large number of pieces of photograph data whosephotographing dates and times extend over a plurality of years areprocessed, the photograph data of the access destination is rearrangedon the basis of only the photographing times as in a case of there beinga large number of pieces of photograph data taken on a same day, as itwere.

The main CPU 31 then obtains the photographing time of a (min)th pieceof photograph data from the photograph data rearranged in step S2504(step S2505). Specifically, when the minimum number of photographs (min)is two, the main CPU 31 obtains the photographing time of a second pieceof photograph data from the top of the photograph data rearranged instep S2504.

The main CPU 31 determines whether the photographing time of thephotograph data which photographing time is obtained in step S2505 iswithin a predetermined period (step S2506). The predetermined period isdetermined in advance. In the present embodiment, the performance timerange T in the process of registering the “photo clock frame” is, forexample, 1 hour (60 minutes). Thus, in this example, a period from astarting time to a time after the passage of 60 minutes from thestarting time, for example, is set as the predetermined period as areference for the determination in step S2506.

When determining in the determination process of step S2506 that thephotographing time of the (min)th piece of photograph data is not withinthe predetermined period, the main CPU 31 notifies a lack of photographdata of photographs to be displayed (step S2507), and then ends theprocess represented in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38.

Specifically, in step S2507, the main CPU 31 displays a display messagethat displayable photographs are not present on the display screen ofthe LCD 14 via the LCD control circuit 44. Alternatively, the main CPU31 emits the sound of a voice message that displayable photographs arenot present from the speakers 47L and 47R via the audio processingsection 46. Of course, both the display message and the voice messagemay be output.

When determining in the determination process of step S2506 that thephotographing time of the (min)th piece of photograph data is within thepredetermined period, the main CPU 31 obtains the photographing time ofan (stb1)th photograph (step S2508). Specifically, when the appropriatenumber of photographs (stb1) is 12 as described above, the main CPU 31obtains the photographing time of a 12th piece of photograph data fromthe top of the photograph data rearranged in step S2504.

Thereafter proceeding to the process represented in FIG. 38, the mainCPU 31 determines whether the photographing time of the photograph datawhich photographing time is obtained in step S2508 is within thepredetermined period (step S2509). The determination process of stepS2509 is similar to the determination process of step S2506. Thedetermination process of step S2509 determines whether the photographingtime of the (stb1)th photograph falls within the predetermined period.

Incidentally, the predetermined period used in step S2509 is the same asthe predetermined period used in step S2506.

When determining in the determination process of step S2509 that thephotographing time of the (stb1)th piece of photograph data is notwithin the predetermined period, the main CPU 31 sequentially displaysphotographs within the predetermined period of the starting time (stepS2510).

Specifically, in step S2510, the present time is set as a starting time,usable photograph data having times within the predetermined period ofthe starting time as photographing times is extracted, and photographsbased on the extracted photograph data are sequentially displayed. Then,after the process of step S2510, the process represented in FIG. 37 andFIG. 38 is ended.

When determining in the determination process of step S2509 that thephotographing time of the (stb1)th piece of photograph data is withinthe predetermined period, the main CPU 31 sequentially displays (stb1)photographs (step S2511).

Specifically, in step S2511, photographs based on photograph data forthe (stb1) photographs from the top of the photograph data rearranged instep S2504 are displayed sequentially. Then, after the process of stepS2511, the process represented in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 is ended.

Thus, in the second display process of displaying an image by the “photoclock frame” function described with reference to FIG. 37 and FIG. 38,whether image data necessary for display exists at the accessdestination is checked first. When photograph data for a minimum numberof photographs is not present, photograph display is not made. However,when there is photograph data for a minimum number of photographs ormore, a photograph displaying process is performed according to thephotograph data.

After displaying photographs for the performance time range T accordingto the process represented in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38, the image displaydevice 10 according to the present embodiment performs the process ofFIG. 37 and FIG. 38 again for a next new performance time range (a nextperiod of one hour in the above-described example), and performs aphotograph data displaying process according to the function of the same“photo clock frame” for a new time period.

Thus, in the case of the “photo clock frame,” after the process ofdisplaying photographs based on photograph data for the set performancetime range T is ended, a process of displaying photographs based onsimilar photograph data is performed in a new time period (next timeperiod of the performance time range T).

In the case of the “photo clock frame,” a total performance time periodcan also be set to display photographs by the function of the “photoclock frame” from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., for example. In addition,photographs can be displayed continuously for 24 hours by the functionof the “photo clock frame.”

Incidentally, in the case of the “photo clock frame,” as in the case ofthe “memory frame,” photographs can be displayed in various orders. Forexample, photographs can be displayed in order into which the photographdata is rearranged in step S2403 or step S2504.

It is also possible to extract only photograph data to be displayed,rearrange the extracted photograph data in descending order ofphotographing year, month, and day or photographing month and day or inascending order of photographing year, month, and day or photographingmonth and day, and display the photograph data in that order. Inaddition, photograph data to be displayed can be displayed according toa certain rule, by which the photograph data to be displayed isrearranged in order of the file name of the photograph data and thendisplayed, for example. Further, photograph data to be displayed can bereproduced in random order by using random numbers or the like.

Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, the respectivefunctions of rearranging means and extracting means are realized mainlyby the main CPU 31. The functions of reproducing means are realized bycollaboration between the main CPU 31, the LCD control circuit 44, andthe LCD 14.

The respective functions of period changing means, reproductioncontrolling means, and determining means are also realized mainly by themain CPU 31.

A method and a program as inventions of the present application aremainly applied to the processes represented in the flowcharts of FIGS.31 to 38.

Specifically, a rearranging process is performed in step S2203 in FIG.31. A process of extracting image data to be displayed is performed bythe process of steps S2206 to S2210 in FIG. 32. A reproducing process isperformed in each of steps S2212 and S2213 in FIG. 32.

Similarly, a rearranging process is performed in step S2304 in FIG. 33.A process of extracting image data to be displayed is performed by theprocess of steps S2305 in FIG. 33 to S2309 in FIG. 34. A reproducingprocess is performed in each of steps S2310 and S2311 in FIG. 34.

A rearranging process is performed in step S2403 in FIG. 35. A processof extracting image data to be displayed is performed by the process ofsteps S2406 to S2410 in FIG. 36. A reproducing process is performed ineach of steps S2412 and S2413 in FIG. 36.

Similarly, a rearranging process is performed in step S2504 in FIG. 37.A process of extracting image data to be displayed is performed by theprocess of steps S2505 in FIG. 37 to S2509 in FIG. 38. A reproducingprocess is performed in each of steps S2510 and S2511 in FIG. 38.

Content data extraction is performed by the process of step S2206 inFIG. 32. A period changing process is performed by the process of stepS2207 and step S2208. A process of extracting content data again isperformed by the loop process of step S2209 and step S2206.

A process of reproducing content data in a predetermined reproductionmode is performed by the process of step S2212 in FIG. 32. A process ofdetermining the number of pieces of content data to be reproduced isperformed by the process of step S2202 in FIG. 31.

Similarly, content data extraction is performed by the process of stepS2406 in FIG. 36. A period changing process is performed by the processof step S2407 and step S2408. A process of extracting content data againis performed by the loop process of step S2409 and step S2406.

A process of reproducing content data in a predetermined reproductionmode is performed by the process of step S2412 in FIG. 36. A process ofdetermining the number of pieces of content data to be reproduced isperformed by the process of step S2402 in FIG. 35.

[Usability of Content Data Other than Still Image Data]

The foregoing embodiment has been described above supposing that contentdata to be reproduced is still image data (photograph data). However,the present invention is not limited to this. The content data to bereproduced may be graphics data, moving image data, or audio data ofmusical pieces and the like.

For example, photographing dates and times are added to moving imagedata obtained by photographing using a digital video camera or the like.Thus, using the photographing dates and times, as in the case ofphotograph data in the foregoing embodiment, the moving image data isrearranged on the basis of only photographing months and days. Then, amoving image for a fixed time of each piece of moving image data can bedisplayed in the modes described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D. Inaddition, the moving image data is rearranged on the basis of only thephotographing times of the moving image data. Then, a moving image for afixed time of each piece of moving image data can be displayed in themodes described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D.

Some audio data of musical pieces or the like has information such asrelease dates, for example, added thereto. Thus, as in the case ofphotograph data in the foregoing embodiment, the audio data of musicalpieces is rearranged on the basis of only release months and days. Then,sound for a fixed time of each piece of audio data can be reproduced inorder.

In addition, when the user can add information such as obtainment datesand times to audio data of music or the like, it is, for example,possible to rearrange the audio data on the basis of the obtainmentmonths and days, the obtainment times or the like of the obtainmentdates and times, extract target audio data on the basis of a presentdate and time or a present time, and reproduce each piece of theextracted audio data for a fixed time.

Thus, even in the case of moving image data or audio data, as in thecase of still image data, the present invention rearranges the contentdata on the basis of a part of date information added to the targetcontent data.

Then, content data suitable for reproduction is extracted using areproduction month and day or a reproduction time as a predeterminedtemporal reference, and the extracted content data can be reproduced ina predetermined reproduction mode.

Incidentally, in the foregoing embodiment, when the content data to bereproduced is still image data, the photographing date and time of thestill image data is used. However, the present invention is not limitedto this. For example, as in the case of audio data of a musical piece,when a sales date is added, the sales date can be used, or when anobtainment date and time can be added, the obtainment date and time canbe used. That is, various date and time information that is added to orcan be added to content data can be used.

In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, still image display modeswithout division of the screen, with two divisions of the screen, andwith four divisions of the screen have each been described withreference to FIGS. 4A to 4D. However, the present invention is notlimited to this. It is also possible to display images in three dividedparts of the screen, or to divide the screen into more than four partsand display images in the respective parts.

In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the “memory frame” and the“photo clock frame” have been described supposing that informationindicating an access destination, the number N of display photographs ofone screen, a display changing time t, a performance time range T, andthe like are registered in advance. However, the present invention isnot limited to this.

As a mode of performing the “memory frame” and the “photo clock frame,”it is possible to input information such as information indicating anaccess destination, the number N of display photographs of one screen, adisplay changing time t, and a performance time range T each time afterselecting the frames to be performed, and perform a processcorresponding to the input information.

In addition, while the foregoing embodiment has been described by takingas an example a case of applying the present invention to an imagedisplay device, the present invention is not limited to this. Becausecontent data may be audio data as described above, the present inventionis applicable to audio reproducing devices.

In addition, the present invention is applicable to reproducing devicesand recording and reproducing devices capable of reproducing still imagedata, moving image data, audio data and the like as well as informationprocessing devices such as personal computers.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An image display device comprising: storing means for storingassociating information that associates information indicating one ormore providing sources of image data with each of one or more displayareas set within a display screen; obtaining means for obtaining imagedata from a providing source corresponding to each of said one or moredisplay areas on the basis of said associating information stored insaid storing means; forming means for forming display image data of adisplay image to be displayed on said display screen on the basis of theimage data being obtained by said obtaining means for each of said oneor more display areas; and display processing means for displaying thedisplay image corresponding to said display image data formed by saidforming means on said display screen.
 2. The image display deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: receiving means for receivingan instruction input from a user; measuring means for measuring a timefrom display of the display image on said display screen by said displayprocessing means; and display controlling means for controlling saidobtaining means, said forming means, and said display processing meansto display a new display image when a predetermined instruction input isreceived via said receiving means or when a result of measurement ofsaid measuring means indicates that a certain time has passed from thedisplay of the display image.
 3. The image display device according toclaim 1, further comprising: detecting means for detecting whether thereis new image data at said providing source corresponding to each of saidone or more display areas in each predetermined timing on the basis ofsaid associating information stored in said storing means; and informingmeans for informing presence of new image data when said detecting meansdetects the presence of the new image data.
 4. The image display deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: detecting means for detectingwhether there is new image data at said providing source correspondingto each of said one or more display areas in each predetermined timingon the basis of said associating information stored in said storingmeans; and new arrival notifying means for making a display notifyingpresence of new image data in a display area for which the new imagedata is present when said detecting means detects the presence of thenew image data.
 5. The image display device according to claim 1,further comprising: detecting means for detecting whether there is newimage data at said providing source corresponding to each of said one ormore display areas in each predetermined timing on the basis of saidassociating information stored in said storing means; updating means forupdating said storing means with information indicating presence of newimage data for each of the one or more display areas when said detectingmeans detects the presence of the new image data; menu forming means forforming and displaying a menu having a performable process as aselection item; and notifying means for making a display notifyingpresence of new image data in said selection item of the menu formed bysaid menu forming means, said selection item being for a process ofdisplaying an image in each of the one or more display areas set withinthe display screen, when said storing means is updated with informationindicating the presence of the new image data.
 6. An image displaydevice comprising: storing means for storing associating informationthat associates information indicating providing sources of image datawith each of a plurality of display areas set within a display screen;obtaining means for obtaining image data from the providing sources ofsaid image data; and display controlling means for displaying the imagedata obtained by said obtaining means in each of the display areascorresponding to the providing sources on the basis of said associatinginformation.
 7. The image display device according to claim 6, furthercomprising: communicating means for communicating with anotherinformation processing device; detecting means for detecting whetherthere is new image data at a providing source of said image data bycontrolling said communicating means to communicate with said otherinformation processing device; and informing means for informingpresence of new image data when said detecting means detects thepresence of the new image data at said providing source.
 8. An imagedisplay method comprising: a recording step of recording, by recordingmeans, in storing means, associating information that associatesinformation indicating one or more providing sources of image data witheach of one or more display areas set within a display screen; anobtaining step of obtaining, by obtaining means, image data from aproviding source corresponding to each of said one or more display areason the basis of said associating information stored in said storingmeans; a forming step of forming, by forming means, display image dataof a display image to be displayed on said display screen on the basisof the image data being obtained in said obtaining step for each of saidone or more display areas; and a display processing step of displaying,by display processing means, the display image corresponding to saiddisplay image data formed in said forming step on said display screen.9. The image display method according to claim 8, further comprising: areceiving step of receiving an instruction input from a user viareceiving means; a measuring step of measuring a time from display ofthe display image on said display screen in said display processing stepby measuring means; and a display controlling step of controlling, bydisplay controlling means, said obtaining means, said forming means, andsaid display processing means to display a new display image when apredetermined instruction input is received in said receiving step orwhen a result of measurement in said measuring step indicates that acertain time has passed from the display of the display image.
 10. Theimage display method according to claim 8, further comprising: adetecting step of detecting, by detecting means, whether there is newimage data at said providing source corresponding to each of said one ormore display areas in each predetermined timing on the basis of saidassociating information stored in said storing means; and an informingstep of informing presence of new image data via informing means whenthe presence of the new image data is detected in said detecting step.11. The image display method according to claim 8, further comprising: adetecting step of detecting, by detecting means, whether there is newimage data at said providing source corresponding to each of said one ormore display areas in each predetermined timing on the basis of saidassociating information stored in said storing means; an updating stepof updating, by updating means, said storing means with informationindicating presence of new image data for each of the one or moredisplay areas when the presence of the new image data is detected insaid detecting step; and a new arrival notifying step of making, by newarrival notifying means, a display notifying presence of new image datain a display area for which the new image data is present on the basisof the information stored in said storing means.
 12. The image displaymethod according to claim 8, further comprising: a detecting step ofdetecting, by detecting means, whether there is new image data at saidproviding source corresponding to each of said one or more display areasin each predetermined timing on the basis of said associatinginformation stored in said storing means; an updating step of updating,by updating means, said storing means with information indicatingpresence of new image data for each of the one or more display areaswhen the presence of the new image data is detected in said detectingstep; a menu forming step of forming and displaying a menu having aperformable process as a selection item by menu forming means; and anotifying step of making a display notifying presence of new image datain said selection item of the menu formed in said menu forming step,said selection item being for a process of displaying an image in eachof the one or more display areas set within the display screen, whensaid storing means is updated with information indicating the presenceof the new image data.
 13. An image display device comprising: a storingsection configured to store associating information that associatesinformation indicating one or more providing sources of image data witheach of one or more display areas set within a display screen; anobtaining section configured to obtain image data from a providingsource corresponding to each of said one or more display areas on thebasis of said associating information stored in said storing section; aforming section configured to form display image data of a display imageto be displayed on said display screen on the basis of the image databeing obtained by said obtaining section for each of said one or moredisplay areas; and a display processing section configured to displaythe display image corresponding to said display image data formed bysaid forming section on said display screen.
 14. An image display devicecomprising: a storing section configured to store associatinginformation that associates information indicating providing sources ofimage data with each of a plurality of display areas set within adisplay screen; an obtaining section configured to obtain image datafrom the providing sources of said image data; and a display controllingsection configured to display the image data obtained by said obtainingsection in each of the display areas corresponding to the providingsources on the basis of said associating information.